English and Scottish FAs in talks with FIFA over poppies on shirts

Both the English and Scottish FAs are in talks with FIFA to allow them to wear poppies on their national squad shirts.

England and Scotland will meet for a FIFA World Cup Qualifier on Armistice Day, and both FAs would like their sides to wear a poppy symbol as a mark of respect. However, current FIFA rules forbid "commercial, political and religious messages on shirts", meaning the wearing of a poppy on shirts is not allowed. An FA statement read: "We are working closely with the Royal British Legion once again this year to honour and remember the sacrifices made by those serving in the armed forces. "In recent weeks, the FA has led remembrance discussions with FIFA to allow the England team to show its support for the poppy appeal during the World Cup qualifier with Scotland."

This is the solution brokered between The FA and Fifa when the issue of displaying the poppy was last discussed in 2011. pic.twitter.com/llFb5GxB6h

— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) November 1, 2016

A previous bout of negotiations in 2011 resulted in FIFA allowing the England team to wear black armbands depicting the poppy during a friendly match against Spain. Commenting on the situation, the Royal British Legion said, "We see no reason why the poppy should be banned as it is not a political symbol." Catch up with the latest episode of Football Friday Live: