FIFA banning poppies

[BlueLlama]

So if non-racists abandon the poppy then it truly becomes the symbol of the extreme? Sorry I don't want that to happen

 

[Prevenger17]

Again though surely this is a misappropriation and should be disregarded when viewing its intended symbolism?

It is misappropriation, but the very fact of it being so easily hijacked by political interests shows that it's not some benign symbol, no matter how many of us wish it were so

 

[Prevenger17]

I have no vested interest, political or otherwise in this issue, but surely if FIFA were to maintain an apolitical stance, they wouldn't get involved in this issue?

That doesn't make any sense.

 

[hibbo'sclass]

That doesn't make any sense.

How so? Is the banning of the poppy on shirts a political decision - would appear so.
FIFA, whilst claiming to be non-political, appear to have made a political decision.
Just saying...

 

[bluebrotha77]

probably done loads before but do people on here think james mclean was wrong in refusing to wear one?

 

[hibbo'sclass]

probably done loads before but do people on here think james mclean was wrong in refusing to wear one?

Personal choice - no right or wrong.

 

[bluebrotha77]

Personal choice - no right or wrong.

That would be my opinion to.

 

[Connor]

probably done loads before but do people on here think james mclean was wrong in refusing to wear one?

No, he shouldn't have to wear one and nor should it be a story every year when he doesn't. He said his piece about it 3/4 seasons ago and he made a valid point with that.

 

[Prevenger17]

How so? Is the banning of the poppy on shirts a political decision

You're going a bit meta there mate. We're talking about international politics, not the political structure of the organisation itself.

It's as simple as this.

FIFA enforces bans on any political symbolism within grounds, the best example of which is the Palestinian flag. Though my sympathies are very much with Palestine. I still don't think that particular can of worms has any place at a football ground. One look at the annual James McClean Outrage-a-thon will tell you that even the pro-poppyists don't see it as some benign symbol of respect. If FIFA deem it a political symbol, then they have to ban it in accordance with their rules.

 

[Harryflashman]

They've done this loads of times

I remember a stink about it a few years ago when we were due to play, I think, Spain in a friendly

I think we got around it last time by having the poppies on our jackets, which we then took off prior to the kick off, so I imagine we'll do the same this time, as will the Scots

Every year the same three things seem to happen regards poppies and football

- FIFA say England can't wear poppies, rabble rabble rabble
- A smattering of Celtic supporters will interrupt the minutes silence, rabble rabble rabble
- A prominent Irish player will ask if he can decide not to wear a poppy, rabble rabble rabble

It's a shame, because I've never had a problem with the poppy or the minutes silence because it's supposed to be for all soldiers who died in all wars, which I think is a nice sentiment, but there always seems to be some issue attached to it, which spoils things

I don't disagree with what you post , I'm saddened by the reception of some Celtic fans when their club wear it . I'm a tad conflicted on the player not wearing it as I think it's disrespectful but I also completely think he has a right , I'm honest enough to say though I wouldn't like an Everton player to be in that situation and I actually wouldn't care who it was . That's simply my opinion given a number of friends and family who've died in service .

As regards FIFA though they seem consistent in not wearing polticitcal symbols , I get that . Whatever my opinion on the poppy I can completely empathise with FIFA and I can see how they'd see it as a potential thin end of the wedge . As you say the idea of wearing it on the jacket seems , as previously , a simple way round it .

 

[Khalekan]

How so? Did the soldiers wear poppies during the occupation??

You see, there is a general assumption that the Poppy is solely about WW1.

It is not.....at some point, all wars involving British forces in the 20th century were included In the general Rememberance ceremonies.

This causes great disquiet in Ireland as their experience of the British Army is vastly different to anyone living in Liverpool or Stoke-on-Trent.

The Black and Tans brought terror to the Irish people in the 1920s and of course, the people of Londonderry, a city which is in the United Kingdom remember, suffered mass carnage at the hands of the British Army at Bloody Sunday.

And to make it very clear what happened on Bloody Sunday.....the British Army was deployed on the streets of a city in the UK and shot down its own citizens on those streets.

And the Sun and the Daily Mail and other populist rags have the cheek to demonise James McClean, a native of Derry, every year because he will not be bullied into wearing a Poppy.

I'd have thought Call of Duty, the Army, RAF, Navy promotional campaigns and recruitment drives would have more of an influence than the poppy personally but then I've never really thought about it before.

Interesting thread this @tommye

That is what is great about threads like Tommye's.

It gets people thinking outside the box, Boss

 

[hibbo'sclass]

You're going a bit meta there mate. We're talking about international politics, not the political structure of the organisation itself.

It's as simple as this.

FIFA enforces bans on any political symbolism within grounds, the best example of which is the Palestinian flag. Though my sympathies are very much with Palestine. I still don't think that particular can of worms has any place at a football ground. One look at the annual James McClean Outrage-a-thon will tell you that even the pro-poppyists don't see it as some benign symbol of respect. If FIFA deem it a political symbol, then they have to ban it in accordance with their rules.

I get what you're saying, but I would never consider the poppy to be a political symbol - perhaps I've just led a sheltered life.
The McClean thing is a personal decision which is down to his personal views and politics, and if he chooses not to wear it that's fine by me.

 

[davek]

Unfortunately the poppy has become a political symbol rather than a gesture of remembrance in recent years. Not sure if FIFA have a stance on political statements on shirts, worn under shirt messages etc. It's a shame but clearly they think the divisive issue is best left away from the football ground

Spot on mate.

FIFA are right to ban any symbolism like this. Where does it end if they don't?

I hope they stand fast on this and don't give an inch to the home nations FAs.

 

[Roger Milla]

Couldn't care less, Poppies are a choice and not obligatory.

They should go back a few years and not have them on any shirts at all. The social media driven witchhunt of James McClean at this time every year is embarrassing and tiresome.

 

[BlueLlama]

probably done loads before but do people on here think james mclean was wrong in refusing to wear one?

As an Englishmand yes of course, but he was bought up in a different culture where as mentioned before the poppy is used in sectarianism. It was his choice not to wear it and fair enough although thousands of Irish (Protestants and Catholics) were killed in action and the poppy is for them too.