FOOTBALL’S WORLD GOVERNING body were this afternoon targeted by protesters angry at the decision to stop England’s footballers wearing poppies on their shirts.
Two members of the English Defence League are currently on the roof of FIFA HQ in Zurich.
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They displayed a banner depicting two poppies which read: “English defence League. How dare FIFA disrespect our war dead and wounded. Support out troops.”
England host Spain in a friendly in Wembley on Saturday evening and had intended to wear special jerseys embroidered with poppies to mark Remembrance Weekend.
But those plans had to be scrapped yesterday after Zurich officials ruled that the emblem was a political symbol and is therefore banned under the game’s rules.
English Defence League in FIFA HQ rooftop protest
FOOTBALL’S WORLD GOVERNING body were this afternoon targeted by protesters angry at the decision to stop England’s footballers wearing poppies on their shirts.
Two members of the English Defence League are currently on the roof of FIFA HQ in Zurich.
They displayed a banner depicting two poppies which read: “English defence League. How dare FIFA disrespect our war dead and wounded. Support out troops.”
England host Spain in a friendly in Wembley on Saturday evening and had intended to wear special jerseys embroidered with poppies to mark Remembrance Weekend.
But those plans had to be scrapped yesterday after Zurich officials ruled that the emblem was a political symbol and is therefore banned under the game’s rules.
This morning, British prime minuster David Cameron weighed into the furore, labeling the decision by FIFA ‘absurd’.
More to follow
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EDL English Defence League FIFA FIFA HQ Poppies Poppy Remembrance row Zurich