I don't think the FA should be making their players wear a poppy. Remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country should be the choice of individuals, not of employers.
If Armistice Day is of deep, cultural significance to the FA or the SFA they shouldn't even be playing on that day. But they are, in which case they should mark the occasion publicly and in a way in which everyone can contribute, but stick within the rules - at least the spirit of the rules - as set by FIFA.
Lay a wreath. Have veterans present the match ball. Sell poppies at the game. Precede the match with a minute's silence. Make sure there's a top member of the Royal Family there, in uniform. All of these would be respectful, proportionate and memorable for the right reasons.
But forcing snarling, angry, foul-mouthed, spitting, twenty-something millionaires to wear a poppy isn't what Remembrance Day is all about.
And, as soon as England ignores the rules, they lose the right to complain about Argentinians standing behind a Malvinas flag, Ireland wearing a centenary shirt, middle eastern teams supporting organisations we don't like...
There are far, far better ways of paying respect than trying to win a battle with FIFA, via the PM and the tabloids.
i think everyone needs to chill out on here, its turning into point scoring on here - have respect for the dead arguing over poppies, the poppies argument is non one, both scotland and england the 2 countries playing honour armistice day and have done for many years, if for example we were playing italy at wembley it would only be 1 nation wearing the poppy, this is different the game is on armistice day, and i think it should be respected, the ireland easter rising shirts were allowed due to the game being a freindly.
james mclean whilst i understand why he doesnt wear one - i think the guy is a bellend and extremely hypocritical but the irish fans love him dubbing him there anti-british hero ( songs etc ), not all irish hate english its just banter between fans i think.
I have decided to use this topic with my year 9 philosophy and ethics classes next week.
Students will be set the task of trying to see the situation from both sides.
Reading this thread has given me some great material to draw on in terms of blinkered one-sided perspectives and also reasoned balanced views that consider both sides.
Long live Charlton Life and the wonderful insights it continues to bring into the mindset of a cross section of the British public.
I don't think the FA should be making their players wear a poppy. Remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country should be the choice of individuals, not of employers.
If Armistice Day is of deep, cultural significance to the FA or the SFA they shouldn't even be playing on that day. But they are, in which case they should mark the occasion publicly and in a way in which everyone can contribute, but stick within the rules - at least the spirit of the rules - as set by FIFA.
Lay a wreath. Have veterans present the match ball. Sell poppies at the game. Precede the match with a minute's silence. Make sure there's a top member of the Royal Family there, in uniform. All of these would be respectful, proportionate and memorable for the right reasons.
But forcing snarling, angry, foul-mouthed, spitting, twenty-something millionaires to wear a poppy isn't what Remembrance Day is all about.
And, as soon as England ignores the rules, they lose the right to complain about Argentinians standing behind a Marvinas flag, Ireland wearing a centenary shirt, middle eastern teams supporting organisations we don't like...
There are far, far better ways of paying respect than trying to win a battle with FIFA, via the PM and the tabloids.
Probably the first time I've agreed with you but 100% agree.
Its like this, the singing of the national anthem, celebrating St Georges Day etc. etc. - when people are pushed into doing something, the action loses all credibility.
Somehow the players will come out of this looking like patriotic men who really cared - like some of them would have even given a monkeys if there were no orders/debate above them. Those that do care will probably be wearing one when they go to food shopping tomorrow, or may have donated to the Charity. It being on the shirt they have to wear means nothing - it's an empty gesture, just like when players are reluctantly signing the national anthem, or being made to come over and clap an away support.
Danny Mills made perhaps the only not-totally-stupid idea I've heard him come up with, and that was temporary tattoos on the backs of hands so that during the national anthems with the hand on heart, you see the poppy then.
Either way though, it's a poppy, a way of showing respects, and FIFA are pricks. It's hugely disappointing that they see a poppy as political rather than commemorative.
I have decided to use this topic with my year 9 philosophy and ethics classes next week.
Students will be set the task of trying to see the situation from both sides.
Reading this thread has given me some great material to draw on in terms of blinkered one-sided perspectives and also reasoned balanced views that consider both sides.
Long live Charlton Life and the wonderful insights it continues to bring into the mindset of a cross section of the British public.
If you want me to come in to put over a the correct view, all you gotta do is give me a holla Sivo pal
I have decided to use this topic with my year 9 philosophy and ethics classes next week.
Students will be set the task of trying to see the situation from both sides.
Reading this thread has given me some great material to draw on in terms of blinkered one-sided perspectives and also reasoned balanced views that consider both sides.
Long live Charlton Life and the wonderful insights it continues to bring into the mindset of a cross section of the British public.
If you want me to come in to put over a the correct view, all you gotta do is give me a holla Sivo pal
Don't forget to make it conditional on being an all expenses paid trip
Spot on Chizz. The poppy recently seems to be used as PR point scoring by a lot of organisations and people in the spotlight and it really shouldn't be the case. In the end do people really care that much if footballers have it on their shirts? The tabloids are just using this as they know it's easy to bash FIFA over something and whip people up into a nationalistic frenzy. I'd imagine that the RBL are quite happy with this as it gives much more coverage to the Poppy appeal and I'd assume will increase donations.
I have decided to use this topic with my year 9 philosophy and ethics classes next week.
Students will be set the task of trying to see the situation from both sides.
Reading this thread has given me some great material to draw on in terms of blinkered one-sided perspectives and also reasoned balanced views that consider both sides.
Long live Charlton Life and the wonderful insights it continues to bring into the mindset of a cross section of the British public.
If you want me to come in to put over a the correct view, all you gotta do is give me a holla Sivo pal
Don't forget to make it conditional on being an all expenses paid trip
150 notes and double double jam rolly polly and custard from school canteen
Spot on Chizz. The poppy recently seems to be used as PR point scoring by a lot of organisations and people in the spotlight and it really shouldn't be the case. In the end do people really care that much if footballers have it on their shirts? The tabloids are just using this as they know it's easy to bash FIFA over something and whip people up into a nationalistic frenzy. I'd imagine that the RBL are quite happy with this as it gives much more coverage to the Poppy appeal and I'd assume will increase donations.
I do if I'm honest mate, especially the home nation players whether on international duty or domestic.
Spot on Chizz. The poppy recently seems to be used as PR point scoring by a lot of organisations and people in the spotlight and it really shouldn't be the case. In the end do people really care that much if footballers have it on their shirts? The tabloids are just using this as they know it's easy to bash FIFA over something and whip people up into a nationalistic frenzy. I'd imagine that the RBL are quite happy with this as it gives much more coverage to the Poppy appeal and I'd assume will increase donations.
I do if I'm honest mate, especially the home nation players whether on international duty or domestic.
Fair enough. Personally having some sort of ceremony before the game, perhaps advertising throughout would have a greater impact than seeing Kyle Walker run around with a printed Poppy on his shirt.
I don't think the FA should be making their players wear a poppy. Remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country should be the choice of individuals, not of employers.
If Armistice Day is of deep, cultural significance to the FA or the SFA they shouldn't even be playing on that day. But they are, in which case they should mark the occasion publicly and in a way in which everyone can contribute, but stick within the rules - at least the spirit of the rules - as set by FIFA.
Lay a wreath. Have veterans present the match ball. Sell poppies at the game. Precede the match with a minute's silence. Make sure there's a top member of the Royal Family there, in uniform. All of these would be respectful, proportionate and memorable for the right reasons.
But forcing snarling, angry, foul-mouthed, spitting, twenty-something millionaires to wear a poppy isn't what Remembrance Day is all about.
And, as soon as England ignores the rules, they lose the right to complain about Argentinians standing behind a Marvinas flag, Ireland wearing a centenary shirt, middle eastern teams supporting organisations we don't like...
There are far, far better ways of paying respect than trying to win a battle with FIFA, via the PM and the tabloids.
Probably the first time I've agreed with you but 100% agree.
Its like this, the singing of the national anthem, celebrating St Georges Day etc. etc. - when people are pushed into doing something, the action loses all credibility.
Somehow the players will come out of this looking like patriotic men who really cared - like some of them would have even given a monkeys if there were no orders/debate above them. Those that do care will probably be wearing one when they go to food shopping tomorrow, or may have donated to the Charity. It being on the shirt they have to wear means nothing - it's an empty gesture, just like when players are reluctantly signing the national anthem, or being made to come over and clap an away support.
If them wearing it gets ONE young fan inspired enough to ask his elders about it, and then to buy one, result.
Spot on Chizz. The poppy recently seems to be used as PR point scoring by a lot of organisations and people in the spotlight and it really shouldn't be the case. In the end do people really care that much if footballers have it on their shirts? The tabloids are just using this as they know it's easy to bash FIFA over something and whip people up into a nationalistic frenzy. I'd imagine that the RBL are quite happy with this as it gives much more coverage to the Poppy appeal and I'd assume will increase donations.
I do if I'm honest mate, especially the home nation players whether on international duty or domestic.
This is only a recent phenomenon though, only in the last few years have poppies been appearing on football shirts, whether club or national side. So did you care before the Mail and the Sun pointed out when players were or were not wearing the poppy?
Spot on Chizz. The poppy recently seems to be used as PR point scoring by a lot of organisations and people in the spotlight and it really shouldn't be the case. In the end do people really care that much if footballers have it on their shirts? The tabloids are just using this as they know it's easy to bash FIFA over something and whip people up into a nationalistic frenzy. I'd imagine that the RBL are quite happy with this as it gives much more coverage to the Poppy appeal and I'd assume will increase donations.
I do if I'm honest mate, especially the home nation players whether on international duty or domestic.
This is only a recent phenomenon though, only in the last few years have poppies been appearing on football shirts, whether club or national side. So did you care before the Mail and the Sun pointed out when players were or were not wearing the poppy?
Why the wanky tone Fish?
Re: Wearing the poppy - I've always been encouraged to wear a poppy meself mate, whether it was from my nans and grandads, my parents or at school or maybe it was when I was in the scouts, I can't quite remember where from, but it certainly weren't from either the Sun or the Mail.
Re: Poppy on the football jersey - It weren't my idea mate, it must've been the idea of someone at the FA to have it on the National side's shirts, but so what if it is (in your not very good opinion) a recent phenomenon, why does that make it wrong? . We're all encouraged to get behind the Kick It Out campaign and rightly so, so why the fuck is it a problem for wanting to pay respect through wearing a poppy and seeing it done on football tops?
Apologies for the wanky tone. I was merely making the point that the national side has only begun displaying (or requested to) within the last few years. Prior to 2010 there seems to be no evidence that the national side ever displayed the poppy. So were you upset for all those years before they displayed the poppy, or is it because they now want to, they must do so forever until the end of time; Pandora's Box has been opened and there is no going back to poppyless shirts.
Surely having a wreath laying ceremony at the beginning of the game would be just as respectful.
I am also of the belief that "poppy fascism" has come about purely thanks to the efforts of the Sun and the Mail hijacking a charity's emblem for jingoistic purposes, and had they not whipped up a frenzy over this, no one would care whether or not footballers or anyone else wore poppies. That's not even an opinion, there was no controversy until the tabloids decided to invent one since prior to 2010 footballers didn't wear poppies and no one cared or noticed until the tabloids pointed this out.
Danny Mills made perhaps the only not-totally-stupid idea I've heard him come up with, and that was temporary tattoos on the backs of hands so that during the national anthems with the hand on heart, you see the poppy then.
Either way though, it's a poppy, a way of showing respects, and FIFA are pricks. It's hugely disappointing that they see a poppy as political rather than commemorative.
Temporary tattoo? They should carve the poppy into their foreheads with a pair of scissors.
Danny Mills made perhaps the only not-totally-stupid idea I've heard him come up with, and that was temporary tattoos on the backs of hands so that during the national anthems with the hand on heart, you see the poppy then.
Either way though, it's a poppy, a way of showing respects, and FIFA are pricks. It's hugely disappointing that they see a poppy as political rather than commemorative.
Temporary tattoo? They should carve the poppy into their foreheads with a pair of scissors.
So, let's just take the piss now. Poppy laminated ball, the turf cut to the shape of a giant poppy in each half, the electronic advertising displaying only poppy's between adverts, the Wembley Arch lit...er red!
Anything else, ah poppy's strewn around the seats that any FIFA delegates' fat arses are sitting on...
So, let's just take the piss now. Poppy laminated ball, the turf cut to the shape of a giant poppy in each half, the electronic advertising displaying only poppy's between adverts, the Wembley Arch lit...er red!
Anything else, ah poppy's strewn around the seats that any FIFA delegates' fat arses are sitting on...
I don't think the FA should be making their players wear a poppy. Remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country should be the choice of individuals, not of employers.
If Armistice Day is of deep, cultural significance to the FA or the SFA they shouldn't even be playing on that day. But they are, in which case they should mark the occasion publicly and in a way in which everyone can contribute, but stick within the rules - at least the spirit of the rules - as set by FIFA.
Lay a wreath. Have veterans present the match ball. Sell poppies at the game. Precede the match with a minute's silence. Make sure there's a top member of the Royal Family there, in uniform. All of these would be respectful, proportionate and memorable for the right reasons.
But forcing snarling, angry, foul-mouthed, spitting, twenty-something millionaires to wear a poppy isn't what Remembrance Day is all about.
And, as soon as England ignores the rules, they lose the right to complain about Argentinians standing behind a Malvinas flag, Ireland wearing a centenary shirt, middle eastern teams supporting organisations we don't like...
There are far, far better ways of paying respect than trying to win a battle with FIFA, via the PM and the tabloids.
This is by far the most sense yet expressed on this matter. Obviously FIFA are wrong on this one but they're usually wrong about most stuff and we know they have an agenda where England is concerned. Plus, the day we start taking advice from the daily fail and any of the despicable m"rd0(h's sceptic organs is a sad day indeed.
Wear your Poppies with pride, or don't wear them, it's up to you.
Andy Townsend, ex-pro, whined on the radio last night: “Since both England and Scotland agree on the poppy, what's wrong with wearing it?”
Well, England and Scotland could agree on sporting the logo of Fuckwit Motor Dealership. The sensible FIFA rule bans commercialism, politics and religion on all national shirts. FIFA represents 211 countries.
There were a dozen poppy sellers at Canary Wharf at lunchtime today, some serving in the forces and exhibiting military kit. It's all in a good cause, and there's no shortage of opportunities to contribute to the fund and display the poppy. Yet, there are whole constituencies in Scotland and Northern Ireland where the poppy isn't quite the respected symbol imagined by the rest.
Just think – Argentina pitch up at Wember-lee with a logo commemorating the fallen in the Falklands War. What would all the moral-grandstanders from south-east London say about that?
But wearing a poppy was taught to me by my nan and grandad from an early age and then followed by my mum and dad
My kids all understand why and enjoy the whole process of purchasing and displaying them it's all about education
Im too young to comment on what footballers wore in the 80s, but the way I was brought up is exactly the same.
The poppy is an important symbol, and as a society it's a means for anyone - regardless of race, colour, creed or political leaning - to remember the sacrifices that others made to enable us to live our lives with the things we take for granted.
Growing up I was instilled with a massive respect for the Armed Forces, with tales of elderly relatives and more recent incidents closer in the family too.
I'll never forget my first memory of a minutes silence; my dad and I standing outside a Superdrug store, silent.. until a gun went off in the distance. The curiousity of what it was all about, and my dad taking the time to explain it.
Similarly, being allowed to sell the poppies in different classrooms at primary school was a special privilege. We were kids, we cared not about politics, and we had very little in common socioeconomically other than our schooling: but even at that age it was clear that the Poppy was something for the entire country, it was a simple "Thankyou" to those whom we owed a lot too.
During my teenage years I took pride in the remembrance parades I attended as a cadet, including laying the wreath and attending the memberance masses. Once again, the kids I marched with came from all kinds of backgrounds - but that didn't matter, because the Poppy was an umbrella for everyone to pay their respects under.
Every year the Poppy, as a symbol, is weakened when politics get dragged in to it - or when people use it as a statement. That cheapens something which is pure.
Do I think wearing a poppy should be enforced? Not at all.
Do I think FIFA were offensive by claiming the Poppy was a political symbol? Most definitely.
That the two subjects are entirely unconnected, one is a purely political statement, the other a symnolic way of supporting forces charities, if you visit any German Cemetery from the Great War there are numerous poppy wreaths left on the graves from British and Commonwealth visitors, whether the media and some groups have tried to hijack its meaning in recent years is irrelevant to the message understood by the masses and promoted by the RBL itself.
With regards to Ireland and thier Easter Rising commemoration shirts, as an ex-serviceman with strong direct links with the troubles, I applaud them being aĺlowed to commemorate an important part of their history, as I stronglt believe people have the right not to wear a poppy, its purely a matter of choice.
Signed A morale (ex) grand-stander from SE London (well leafy Hertfordshire actually)
I wear a poppy because people gave their lives and health which allow me the freedoms I hold dear. I appreciate their ultimate sacrifice and they deserve our gratitude and rememberence. Freedom is often taken for granted when you have it, but it is everything when you don't. When a player decides not to wear a poppy, it is part of his freedom that people have fought and died for that allows this. When we are intolerant, we forget this and we make it political. I can sort of see the FIFA position here. As I said before, let the players decide. Support their decision which I would anticipate would be 100% to wear a poppy and the right thing will be done for the right reason and nobody can say it is political.
I wear my poppy with gratitude and sadness. I think of people like us who gave their lives for others. We shouldn't be told how to think. It is a personal thing surely. When the PM makes a statement, it sort of makes FIFA right. What is needed is the players to take over here and say we want to wear poppies and nobody will stop us.
Just to clarify, I imagine most people wear a poppy because they were brought up to do so, that's a good thing. I'm laying the hysteria over the chastisement and ostracism of those who choose not to squarely at the feet of the tabloids, who didn't seem to care who did or didn't wear a poppy until very recently.
Andy Townsend, ex-pro, whined on the radio last night: “Since both England and Scotland agree on the poppy, what's wrong with wearing it?”
Well, England and Scotland could agree on sporting the logo of Fuckwit Motor Dealership. The sensible FIFA rule bans commercialism, politics and religion on all national shirts. FIFA represents 211 countries.
There were a dozen poppy sellers at Canary Wharf at lunchtime today, some serving in the forces and exhibiting military kit. It's all in a good cause, and there's no shortage of opportunities to contribute to the fund and display the poppy. Yet, there are whole constituencies in Scotland and Northern Ireland where the poppy isn't quite the respected symbol imagined by the rest.
Just think – Argentina pitch up at Wember-lee with a logo commemorating the fallen in the Falklands War. What would all the moral-grandstanders from south-east London say about that?
Nothing probably. If they pitched up commemorating the Argentinian dead in the Malvinas war. Outrage i should think.
fifa now open investigation into ireland for wearing a easter rising commemorative shirt - the amount of work into it will probably outweigh the fine - but that is fifa for you.
fifa now open investigation into ireland for wearing a easter rising commemorative shirt - the amount of work into it will probably outweigh the fine - but that is fifa for you.
The thing about the poppy which makes it different, is that's not celebrating a military victory, a crushing success on the battle field, the fight for independence etc
It's commemorating the ordinary soldiers who died in combat, whether we won or lost the wars, whether we agree with the war or not. It's a humanitarian symbol, not a political one
I do feel uncomfortable with the compulsory nature of it now. If someone said that we all had to commemorate cancer victims in April, and that every politician, TV presenter etc would have to wear a cancer ribbon that month, if they didn't want to kick up a massive media storm, would we think that right?
Comments
If Armistice Day is of deep, cultural significance to the FA or the SFA they shouldn't even be playing on that day. But they are, in which case they should mark the occasion publicly and in a way in which everyone can contribute, but stick within the rules - at least the spirit of the rules - as set by FIFA.
Lay a wreath. Have veterans present the match ball. Sell poppies at the game. Precede the match with a minute's silence. Make sure there's a top member of the Royal Family there, in uniform. All of these would be respectful, proportionate and memorable for the right reasons.
But forcing snarling, angry, foul-mouthed, spitting, twenty-something millionaires to wear a poppy isn't what Remembrance Day is all about.
And, as soon as England ignores the rules, they lose the right to complain about Argentinians standing behind a Malvinas flag, Ireland wearing a centenary shirt, middle eastern teams supporting organisations we don't like...
There are far, far better ways of paying respect than trying to win a battle with FIFA, via the PM and the tabloids.
james mclean whilst i understand why he doesnt wear one - i think the guy is a bellend and extremely hypocritical but the irish fans love him dubbing him there anti-british hero ( songs etc ), not all irish hate english its just banter between fans i think.
Students will be set the task of trying to see the situation from both sides.
Reading this thread has given me some great material to draw on in terms of blinkered one-sided perspectives and also reasoned balanced views that consider both sides.
Long live Charlton Life and the wonderful insights it continues to bring into the mindset of a cross section of the British public.
Its like this, the singing of the national anthem, celebrating St Georges Day etc. etc. - when people are pushed into doing something, the action loses all credibility.
Somehow the players will come out of this looking like patriotic men who really cared - like some of them would have even given a monkeys if there were no orders/debate above them. Those that do care will probably be wearing one when they go to food shopping tomorrow, or may have donated to the Charity. It being on the shirt they have to wear means nothing - it's an empty gesture, just like when players are reluctantly signing the national anthem, or being made to come over and clap an away support.
Either way though, it's a poppy, a way of showing respects, and FIFA are pricks. It's hugely disappointing that they see a poppy as political rather than commemorative.
Why the wanky tone Fish?
Re: Wearing the poppy - I've always been encouraged to wear a poppy meself mate, whether it was from my nans and grandads, my parents or at school or maybe it was when I was in the scouts, I can't quite remember where from, but it certainly weren't from either the Sun or the Mail.
Re: Poppy on the football jersey - It weren't my idea mate, it must've been the idea of someone at the FA to have it on the National side's shirts, but so what if it is (in your not very good opinion) a recent phenomenon, why does that make it wrong? . We're all encouraged to get behind the Kick It Out campaign and rightly so, so why the fuck is it a problem for wanting to pay respect through wearing a poppy and seeing it done on football tops?
Surely having a wreath laying ceremony at the beginning of the game would be just as respectful.
I am also of the belief that "poppy fascism" has come about purely thanks to the efforts of the Sun and the Mail hijacking a charity's emblem for jingoistic purposes, and had they not whipped up a frenzy over this, no one would care whether or not footballers or anyone else wore poppies. That's not even an opinion, there was no controversy until the tabloids decided to invent one since prior to 2010 footballers didn't wear poppies and no one cared or noticed until the tabloids pointed this out.
Anything else, ah poppy's strewn around the seats that any FIFA delegates' fat arses are sitting on...
Obviously FIFA are wrong on this one but they're usually wrong about most stuff and we know they have an agenda where England is concerned. Plus, the day we start taking advice from the daily fail and any of the despicable m"rd0(h's sceptic organs is a sad day indeed.
Wear your Poppies with pride, or don't wear them, it's up to you.
But wearing a poppy was taught to me by my nan and grandad from an early age and then followed by my mum and dad
My kids all understand why and enjoy the whole process of purchasing and displaying them it's all about education
Well, England and Scotland could agree on sporting the logo of Fuckwit Motor Dealership. The sensible FIFA rule bans commercialism, politics and religion on all national shirts. FIFA represents 211 countries.
There were a dozen poppy sellers at Canary Wharf at lunchtime today, some serving in the forces and exhibiting military kit. It's all in a good cause, and there's no shortage of opportunities to contribute to the fund and display the poppy. Yet, there are whole constituencies in Scotland and Northern Ireland where the poppy isn't quite the respected symbol imagined by the rest.
Just think – Argentina pitch up at Wember-lee with a logo commemorating the fallen in the Falklands War. What would all the moral-grandstanders from south-east London say about that?
The poppy is an important symbol, and as a society it's a means for anyone - regardless of race, colour, creed or political leaning - to remember the sacrifices that others made to enable us to live our lives with the things we take for granted.
Growing up I was instilled with a massive respect for the Armed Forces, with tales of elderly relatives and more recent incidents closer in the family too.
I'll never forget my first memory of a minutes silence; my dad and I standing outside a Superdrug store, silent.. until a gun went off in the distance. The curiousity of what it was all about, and my dad taking the time to explain it.
Similarly, being allowed to sell the poppies in different classrooms at primary school was a special privilege. We were kids, we cared not about politics, and we had very little in common socioeconomically other than our schooling: but even at that age it was clear that the Poppy was something for the entire country, it was a simple "Thankyou" to those whom we owed a lot too.
During my teenage years I took pride in the remembrance parades I attended as a cadet, including laying the wreath and attending the memberance masses. Once again, the kids I marched with came from all kinds of backgrounds - but that didn't matter, because the Poppy was an umbrella for everyone to pay their respects under.
Every year the Poppy, as a symbol, is weakened when politics get dragged in to it - or when people use it as a statement. That cheapens something which is pure.
Do I think wearing a poppy should be enforced? Not at all.
Do I think FIFA were offensive by claiming the Poppy was a political symbol? Most definitely.
With regards to Ireland and thier Easter Rising commemoration shirts, as an ex-serviceman with strong direct links with the troubles, I applaud them being aĺlowed to commemorate an important part of their history, as I stronglt believe people have the right not to wear a poppy, its purely a matter of choice.
Signed A morale (ex) grand-stander from SE London (well leafy Hertfordshire actually)
I wear my poppy with gratitude and sadness. I think of people like us who gave their lives for others. We shouldn't be told how to think. It is a personal thing surely. When the PM makes a statement, it sort of makes FIFA right. What is needed is the players to take over here and say we want to wear poppies and nobody will stop us.
It's commemorating the ordinary soldiers who died in combat, whether we won or lost the wars, whether we agree with the war or not. It's a humanitarian symbol, not a political one
I do feel uncomfortable with the compulsory nature of it now. If someone said that we all had to commemorate cancer victims in April, and that every politician, TV presenter etc would have to wear a cancer ribbon that month, if they didn't want to kick up a massive media storm, would we think that right?