FIFA

[caddyman]

Frankly I think it’s time for the FA to grow a pair.

So FIFA have decreed that the England team cannot wear a poppy embroidered on their team shirt for the friendly against Spain at Wembley on Saturday. The remembrance shirts were to be auctioned off for charity after the game, but FIFA in their wisdom, have decreed that a poppy emblem embroidered on the kit contravenes their ban on commercial, religious or political symbols, despite the fact that it is not a commercial, religious or political symbol.

The FA and the FAW (the Welsh FA) both wrote to FIFA requesting permission and both were turned down on the same grounds.

There will be a two minute silence, the team will wear the poppy motif on their tracksuits and a wreath will be taken on to the pitch. Why then, cannot a poppy be worn on the kit?

Apparently the FA considered just ignoring the ban, but were worried that the referee might cancel the game if they did so. So what? Do it and play the game with your own referees if necessary. Does anyone seriously think that FIFA would do anything that would seriously jeopardise anything as lucrative as the marketing that comes from international football?

And if they did? Tough. They are corrupt anyway (unless you really believe that massive backhanders did not play a part in landing the World Cup for that renowned footballing giant, Qatar) and the football world would be better off if the FA and indeed, all world FAs just grew a pair each and told FIFA where to go. Just ditch them entirely and set up a rival body.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15606557.stm

Comments

[pauln.livejournal.com]

Apparently FIFA have instructed the ref to cancel the game if the emblem is worn, but it's a friendly, for heaven's sake. What on earth point would that serve?

[larians.livejournal.com]

I second your opinion sir. However I suspect that the Spanish would refuse to play as it would be a non sanctioned match and thus risk expulsion from various FIFA tournaments.

FIFA definitely needs to be tackled, but it would need a unified approach. I suspect that the only way that it will happen is by the big clubs threatening to do 'A Premier League' and go their own way. FIFA will then threaten to ban players from international competitions but I suspect that wouldn't be too much of an issue against the million pound salaries...

[agentinfinity.livejournal.com]

I wear a poppy but some people don't for a variety of philosophical or religious reasons and whilst to us that is an important symbol with specific meanings, to others it could have other meanings. There are other symbols that others might want to wear which could equally be problematic. And at the end of the day, it's a football match. I can understand this ruling and I don't really have a problem with it.

I mean, what if Spain started honouring the dead of their various wars and ongoing factional disputes via the medium of international football. There would be tears. Football on a national level both in this country and in Spain is already riddled with factional tension and historical bad feeling.

[smokingboot.livejournal.com]

With you all the way Caddyman.

[littleonionz.livejournal.com]

It's an interesting one. I already don't like how men's football is run, it seems quite overtly corrupt, and played by brattish millionaires. However. One man's meat etc. I think a blanket ban on symbols is a good idea. I include advertising, but then we're back to the corruption thing. First time this has been an ish? -cynical old me is wondering why suddenly after, gosh, ninety years? Poppies are hawt. Don't mistake me; I'm the child of a vet and the niece of a man I'll never meet due to him being killed fighting for a really good reason (career soldier not a conscript either). I have a poppy sitting on mi desk in front of me — I have several of the bloody things kicking around atm. Will I wear it? prolly not. I just lose/forget them. I donate, I don't need to show random stranger x that I've got a social conscience and that I feel a deep sense of sadness and obligation to the collective dead of far too many bloody wars. Footballers could give up their match fee or as that will be a pittance by their standards, maybe a week's wage? Put their money where their flower is (nt).

[littleonionz.livejournal.com]

I also think they should ditch FIFA.