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The SNP have urged Fifa to remove the poppy ban for next week’s World Cup qualifier between Scotland and England.
Scottish National Party MP Stewart McDonald is calling for a ban on footballers wearing poppies for next week’s World Cup qualifier between Scotland and England on Armistice Day to be overturned.
The Scottish Football Association has been known to relax the rule over the years with Rangers and Celtic matches bringing in thousands of charity donations.
Stewart McDonald MP said:
“Scottish football has a proud tradition of supporting the Poppy Appeal from players wearing poppies on their shirts previously to allowing charitable collections inside the gates on match days and it is important that clubs are allowed to show their respect and remember the great sacrifice that was made.
“During the First World War, 16 players from Hearts enlisted and were joined by players from Raith Rovers, Dunfermline, Hibs, St Bernard’s and Fife in the same battalion. In total, 11 Hearts players and three from Raith Rovers were killed.
“Players should not be obliged to wear the poppy, but players should be able to wear it if they wish to do so – they must have the right to choose.
“The SFA allows Scottish clubs to make their own decision about wearing poppies during matches and it is this common sense approach that FIFA needs to adopt – next Friday’s match between Scotland and England will take place on an international stage and it is right to allow both teams the freedom of choice to recognise those who lost their lives during the World Wars.”