Home nations seek poppy permission

The Home nations are to ask their opponents and FIFA for permission to wear poppy armbands during matches which fall on or close to Remembrance Sunday.

A joint statement released by the FA, FA of Wales, Irish FA and Scottish FA welcomed the clarification of rules on what players are allowed to wear, issued by the sport's law-making body, the International Football Association Board.

"It was important that clarity was brought to this issue as it affects many football matches/competitions throughout the world and is particularly helpful in relation to remembrance and poppies," the four associations said.

"In any year when there are international matches in the week leading up to and including Remembrance Sunday, it is the intention of all four home nations to seek permission from the opposition team and FIFA to display the poppy on armbands."

Northern Ireland play Switzerland at Windsor Park in the first leg of their World Cup play-off and Scotland host Holland in a friendly at Pittodrie on Thursday, November 9.

England meet Germany at Wembley and Wales travel to Paris to play France in friendlies on Friday, November 10, before Northern Ireland go to Switzerland for their second leg on Remembrance Sunday, November 12.

Last year, all four home nations were fined by football's world governing body FIFA for ignoring a ban on players wearing slogans or symbols which are considered to be personal, political or religious.

Even before those fines were levied, FIFA's stance had provoked a strong response in the UK, with Prime Minister Theresa May describing it as "outrageous" in parliament, and the FA said it would appeal against the sanction at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

FIFA's climbdown, however, means that is now unnecessary and none of the home nations paid its fine.