The Poppy is Not Political - Fifa Should Not Be Able to Determine How Commemorate the Dead
FIFA Bans Home Nations from Wearing the Poppy – Remembering The Dead of War Should not be Punished
FIFA Bans Home Nations from Wearing the Poppy – Remembering The Dead of War Should not be Punished
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh month 1918, World War I came to an end with the signing of the Armistice between the Allies and Germany.
Every year, the British people hold a two minute silence to commemorate not only those who died in this war, but in all wars. It is not supposed to be an endorsement or celebration of war but simply the remembering of those who died. Those who participate in this commemoration typically wear a poppy as a symbol of their doing so.
As such, during a football match between England and Scotland earlier this month, the players displayed the poppy on black arm-bands.
FIFA in its infinite wisdom however, has decided that the poppy is a political symbol and that therefore the players cannot display poppies during their matches.
The only problem with this though is that the poppy is not generally viewed as a political symbol but a symbol of remembrance for the dead. FIFA therefore, should have no say in this. As a matter of national mourning, this country and our sportsmen and women should be free to display the poppy if they choose.
Even more ridiculous, is that now the Welsh football team might face disciplinary action from FIFA even though they did not display the poppy. The mere fact that fans created a large poppy mosaic in the picture is apparently enough for the team to be sanctioned. This could be a fine or they could face a points deduction.
The new regime at FIFA, which is led by president Gianni Infantino and general secretary Fatma Samoura, views things very differently, however, and is determined to enforce the letter of the law when it comes to keeping what it sees as external distractions and potentially inflammatory messages out of the game.
This authoritarian silliness should end. We have until 9th December before the disciplinary panel discuss the Welsh case and by then we need to let FIFA know that we oppose this action and support our teams as soon and as loudly as possible!
Sign this petition to FIFA objecting strongly to their actions and asking that they end this disciplinary action immediately.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/scandalous-ful...
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/18/england-scotland-fifa-p...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37972265
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Remembering The Dead of War Should not be Punished
For the attention of FIFA's Disciplinary Committee,
Dear Mr Claudio Sulser, Chairman of FIFA's Disciplinary Committee,
I write to you in regard to FIFA’s recent decision to start disciplinary proceedings of some kind or another against all four UK home nation football teams for the use of the poppy symbol during several recent football matches.
All the matches took place on or just after Armistice Day on 11th November,
I recognise why FIFA has long standing rules against the politicisation of the sport, but for the majority of people in Britain, the poppy is not a political symbol but rather a form of commemoration for those who died in war. FIFA's action against these teams is therefore entirely unnecessary.
It is particularly shocking that the Welsh team may be punished when they chose not to display poppies on their arm-bands during the match. Instead, it is apparently the case that the team might be punished for the actions of some of the fans: fans who displayed the poppy as a large mosaic in the crowd.
As the poppy is not recognised as a political symbol, and, in regard to the Welsh team, as the poppy was not even displayed by the team, I ask that these disciplinary proceedings end immediately.
The poppy is part of our national commemoration and mourning of the dead of war and is no concern of yours.
Remembering The Dead of War Should not be Punished
For the attention of FIFA's Disciplinary Committee,
Dear Mr Claudio Sulser, Chairman of FIFA's Disciplinary Committee,
I write to you in regard to FIFA’s recent decision to start disciplinary proceedings of some kind or another against all four UK home nation football teams for the use of the poppy symbol during several recent football matches.
All the matches took place on or just after Armistice Day on 11th November,
I recognise why FIFA has long standing rules against the politicisation of the sport, but for the majority of people in Britain, the poppy is not a political symbol but rather a form of commemoration for those who died in war. FIFA's action against these teams is therefore entirely unnecessary.
It is particularly shocking that the Welsh team may be punished when they chose not to display poppies on their arm-bands during the match. Instead, it is apparently the case that the team might be punished for the actions of some of the fans: fans who displayed the poppy as a large mosaic in the crowd.
As the poppy is not recognised as a political symbol, and, in regard to the Welsh team, as the poppy was not even displayed by the team, I ask that these disciplinary proceedings end immediately.
The poppy is part of our national commemoration and mourning of the dead of war and is no concern of yours.
