FIFA charges Welsh FA over fans wearing poppies

FIFA has been accused of taking leave of its senses for threatening fines after Welsh and Northern Irish fans wore poppies.

A poppy mosaic formed by fans in Cardiff. Picture: AFP

FIFA has been accused of taking leave of its senses for taking disciplinary action against the Welsh and Northern Irish football associations after supporters wore poppies, the symbol widely worn in the UK each November as an act of remembrance of war dead, in the stands during matches two weeks ago.

Football’s governing body had already charged England and Scotland for a series of alleged offences connected to Armistice Day, including a lone bugler sounding Last Post at Wembley Stadium and players wearing armbands embroidered with poppies.

The latest disciplinary action goes a step further, however, and threatens to impose fines.

Wales and Northern Ireland had decided that their players should not wear poppies on their shirts or armbands to ensure that they complied with with FIFA regulations - instead they wore plain black armbands.

Fans, however, paid their own tributes, and a member of the armed forces held a bunch of poppies in the stadium.

FIFA said that its regulations, agreed by England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - who help to create the rules - forbid political, religious, personal or commercial messages at matches.

Tim Farron, leader of Liberal Democrats, said that he was incensed by FIFA’s actions. “FIFA has taken leave of its senses,” he said. “It is absolutely extraordinary that it has nothing better to do than start ridiculous investigations into nations choosing to signal their remembrance.

“I wish the associations luck in contesting these spurious charges and encourage FIFA to use some common sense by ditching this move.

“FIFA is an organisation that is widely seen as corrupt and its time would be better spent having a long, hard look at its own questionable decisions, such as awarding the World Cups to countries like Qatar and Russia without any regard for human rights.”

The Football Association of Wales said that FIFA was investigating several incidents, including “some supporters in the stands wearing the poppy and a member of the armed forces holding a bunch of poppies at the exit of the tunnel”.

It said that a fans’ mosaic depicting the poppy, displayed during the Welsh anthem, and a supporters’ banner depicting a poppy were also part of the disciplinary charge.

Jonathan Ford, chief executive of the Welsh FA, said: “Naturally as an association we are disappointed and surprised at the news. Our intention was to show respect on Armistice weekend which we feel we did in the right and proper way. We also adhered to the rules and regulations of the competition . . . We are particularly disappointed that one of the charges relates to supporters in the stands wearing poppies. Naturally as an association we will strongly contest the charges.” The Irish Football Association said that it would also robustly defend the disciplinary charges.

Wales and Northern Ireland, who were playing Serbia and Azerbaijan respectively, also held a minute’s silence and laid wreaths. Supporters wore poppies in the stands but not through any organised act.

A FIFA spokesman said: “The disciplinary committee decided to open proceedings against the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Wales in relation to several incidents involving the display of poppy symbols reported after the matches.”

The Times