FIFA are taking action over England and Scotland for flouting the ban on wearing poppies during international games.
Football’s governing body warned British national teams that any wearing of the poppy, which apparently constitutes a ‘political symbol’, would be met with punishment.
But we fucking did it anyway.
England and Scotland both took to the field wearing black armbands bearing the red poppy flower as a mark of remembrance.
Both national teams flouted the FIFA ban and wore the iconic symbols in tribute to Britain’s war dead around Armistice Day on November 11.
FIFA expressly forbids players from wearing anything that could be considered to be a political statement, as well as “religious or personal slogans, statements or images”
It’s a rule that’s enforced across 211 member countries.
The English and Scottish FAs could be in trouble for a range of remembrance activities around the fixture including the minute’s silence, the playing of The Last Post and even poppy imagery up on the big screens, according to the Telegraph.
Fifa has a strict pre-match itinerary for international fixtures which it expects national sides to adhere to and permission must be sought to deviate from it, the paper reports.
Now both teams could face the possibility of a fine or even a World Cup points deduction.
“We can confirm disciplinary proceedings have been opened on this matter,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
“Please understand we cannot comment further at this stage nor speculate on any outcome or provide an estimated timeline.”
Martin Glenn, FA chief executive, has already said any fines will be challenged, Sky News report.
“If (FIFA) fine us, we’ll contest,” he said. “They have much bigger problems they should be concentrating on.
“I’m confident our legal position is right and our moral position is right. Our case is absolutely rock solid.”
It’s not the first time something like this has happened. FIFA recently opened disciplinary proceedings against the Republic of Ireland’s use of a logo to commemorate the centenary of the Easter Rising.
At club level, Celtic were fined by UEFA for flying the Palestinian flag to highlight the on-going Middle East conflict during August’s 5-2 victory against Israel’s Hapoel Beer Sheva.
The Glasgow side were found guilty of the charge for having an “illicit banner” by the European football governing body.
