Absolutely disgusting and totally out of order, I hope the fines are not paid, and the FA should make the strongest possible protest. In the meantime I will be writing to my MP to demand that this gets raised in Parliament.

FIFA Fines

As a non football fan, reading the reasons for decision I would conclude that national flags and anthems are also illegal. Maybe even the football strips.

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Also as a non-football fan and from the wrong side of the pond, what is the meaning of poppies? They are the State Flower here in California.

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The poppies being talked about are a symbol of remembrance for those that have fallen in wars. Started after the First World War, where many of the battle fields were covered in red poppies soon after hostilities were over they are worn by many around 11/11. Although started as a UK thing I know of quite a few Germans who wear them for the same reason as I do - they lost loved ones both in the two World Wars, but also in other conflicts since.

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Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

Royal British Legion - The story of the poppy

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders' fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders' fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high,
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders' Fields

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However;

In 2010 a group of British Army veterans issued an open letter complaining that the Poppy Appeal had become excessive and garish, that it was being used to marshal support behind British military campaigns, and that people were being pressured into wearing poppies.[29] In 2014, the group protested by holding an alternative remembrance service: they walked to The Cenotaph under the banner "Never Again" with a wreath of white poppies to acknowledge civilians killed in war. Their tops bore the message "War is Organised Murder", a quote from Harry Patch, the last survivor of World War I

It seems there are others that seem to agree with FIFA, veterans no less.

And an interesting fact

Poppies were first adopted by the American Legion to commemorate American soldiers killed in that war (1914–1918). They were then adopted by military veterans' groups in parts of the British Empire: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand

The whole problem revolves around the fact that the Royal British legion are the beneficiaries of all the poppies sold and they not only help and support veterans but also support current troops in the field. So, many see that as wrong and political.

Armies are after all political.

Asides from mega $$$$$, politics has been in sport for decades, which begs a question...

Armies are after all political.

Armies, no.
But their use is.

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Grant
Darwin NT

Armies are after all political.

Armies, no.
But their use is.

Armies can be political if their generals are.

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But let's be careful folks, if this gets political it will likely be moved to Politics, and some of us will not wish to contribute any further.

Squeaky clean?

You've already done that by posting that link. Did you read it through?

As for poppies, that's already been politicised, & until a legal ruling on it, it will remain so.

In Flanders' fields .... always gave me the 'chills' ..... still does.

Bill