FIFA Has Fined England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland And Republic Of Ireland

 

The Football Association have announced they will appeal the fine issued by FIFA for England wearing poppies in the World Cup Qualifier against Scotland. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were all fined for wearing poppies during World Cup Qualifiers last month, with the FA's fine of £35,000 the largest levied. The Welsh and Scottish FA were both fined £15,700, and Northern Ireland's IFA £11,800.

A brief statement from the FA later on Monday said an appeal against the decision would be made. the governing body said on Twitter “We note the decision by the FIFA disciplinary committee, which we intend to appeal, as a first step, we have written to FIFA requesting the grounds for the decision.”
Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said “It is disappointing that FIFA has not recognised the sentiment of the poppy, which is not a political symbol.  Poppies are a poignant tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of our servicemen and women, and footballers and fans alike should be able to wear them with pride. 

An IFA statement said the body would be taking legal advice over the fine and was disappointed with the verdict, a sentiment echoed by the SFA. The Republic of Ireland's FAI was also fined just over £3,900 for displaying a political symbol on their shirt in a friendly clash with Switzerland back in March. England and Scotland both agreed to wear poppies on their shirts for the qualifier at Wembley on Armistice Day, November 11, with both FAs fined for the display by the host association, the team and spectators of a political symbol and several cases of spectator misconduct.

FIFA's statement confirmed the same reasoning behind fines for Wales and Northern Ireland from their matches last month against Serbia and Azerbaijan respectively. Chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Claudio Sulser, said “With these decisions, it is not our intention to judge or question specific commemorations as we fully respect the significance of such moments in the respective countries, each one of them with its own history and background. However, keeping in mind that the rules need to be applied in a neutral and fair manner across FIFA's 211 member associations, the display, among others, of any political or religious symbol is strictly prohibited. In the stadium and on the pitch, there is only room for sport, nothing else.