Have I Read This Correctly?

[ichkeria]

It looks as though FIFA plans to take disciplinary action against the FAW for allowing fans to wear poppies inside a football stadium.
This would seem to go way beyond the rule about players' shirts.

Or have I misunderstood?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38077727

[andy-hughes]

I think you have read it correctly - which of course does not mean that FIFA is correct in its increasingly poor handling of this situation.

[Fitzer]

I think you've read it correctly and the body of the article says that disciplinary proceedings have begun.

[Lie-in King]

You appear to be correct in your reading & FIFA are still morons.

[EDDIE51]

You have read it correctly, this is just going to make FIFA look even worse and more unfit for purpose that it already is ( if that is possible!)

[ichkeria]

The FA and the SFA are up before the beak for symbols on shirts.
The IFA are in trouble for "displays of poppy symbols" although no one seems clear as to what that is, but I think it relates to some people adopting a poppy formation on the pitch as part of the ceremony of remembrance before kick-off v Azerbaijan.
It's almost as if they were looking for a way to get the Welsh as well, and that was the best they could do.

[bednobs]

the picture clearly shows the stadium displaying the poppy on the screens and on ?soldiers on the pitch. I dan't thinkit's only because fns wore them

[Oldred]

How culpable are the officials for allowing the match-related situations?

They obviously cannot be held responsible for what spectators wear but in the case of England v Scotland they allowed the players to take the field wearing a armband with an emblem which FIFA had said was not allowed. I believe FIFA have said that the pre-match ceremonies should have been approved by them and they took part in that as well.

I assume the officials are FIFA appointed. If so will they be subject to disciplinary action? - Don't hold your breath!

[Oldred]

^^
AN armband

[ToraToraTora]

PMSL, is this FIFA, the most bent shower of excrement in the universe?

[ichkeria]

The rule on kit is pretty clear. I actually have some sympathy for that. To us, the poppy is a symbol of remembrance, but we have to recognise that not everyone sees it that waym even in the UK, even if I strongly regret that fact. I think FIFA are taking the easy way out: "any sort of symbol will be regarded as political because we can't be bothered or we don't have the time or its too controversial to allow some people to have them and not others". And I did query why the FA and SFA did not attempt to sort this out in a less confrontational manner.
But beyond the kit, where do you draw the line? There's a vague rule they are invoking about "the promotion or announcement of political or religious messages in stadiums" being "strictly prohibited". But I am not sure where they are going there, or where that would logically end. It sounds like an excuse for censorship and repression to me

[Old_Geezer]

If the bearer clearly doesn't see it as a political symbol then it isn't. Otherwise they could chose to claim anything and everything is political and that's ridiculous. As it clearly isn't a political symbol then they had no justification for banning it according to their own rules. As for moaning at fans, they really need to get a grip.

[douglas9401]

I suppose the various national bodies could just tell them to far cough and ignore any further communications on the subject from Corruption Central.

I doubt they have the cojones for that though.

[bhg481]

FIFA are going after Wales and NI because spectators were wearing poppies - FIFA's rule 4.4 which prohibits religious, political or personal statements at national team matches. Does this also mean that they will go after Christians wearing crosses or players who cross themselves after scoring a goal?

[jno]

given that Wales and Serbia were on the same side in WW1, poppies don't seem like a political statement. It might be different if they'd been fighting each other, though.

[youngmafbog]

Yet another organization being run by the right-on metropolitan elite who are using their power to suppress free speech as they always do (if not name calling).

I seem to recall the Welsh/Argentina game both sides laid poppies. Surely that itself shows it is non political.

[dannyk13]

No matter what FIFA says, a symbol of remembrance is not political,can't help but feel this has a Brexit connection.

[Togo]

If the corrupt FIFA cartel decides to deduct points from the Welsh, Scottish, N.Ireland or English teams, I hope the England FA say that if the points deduction means that any of the teams are eliminated they will also withdraw from the competitions awarded to Russia and Qatar in the biggest bribes scandal ever to sully the game of football. A points deduction from England would probably make no difference to the tables but would ruin the chances of Wales and N.Ireland in particular, and I would expect the English FA to stand shoulder to shoulder with them. FIFA is still seething after being exposed as crooks, due in part to the forensic demolition job done by the British and American free press and no doubt have seized upon this in a fit of pique and spite. I would happily not go to either Russia or Qatar, and would ban all English clubs from releasing contracted players to play for other Countries, fight fire with fire.

[Togo]

I thought exactly the same as you Danny.^^ Peevish lot.

[Togo]

Remember both FIFA and UEFA have their headquarters in Switzerland, handy for money laundering.