• Home
  • /
  • Latest News
  • /
  • Angry British MPs Bring Up Ireland Centenary Jersey In Poppy Dispute

Angry British MPs Bring Up Ireland Centenary Jersey In Poppy Dispute

Conor Neville
By Conor Neville
Share this article

Angry British politicians are suddenly very interested in a low-key friendly Ireland played against Switzerland last March.

There is great fury in Britain - among the political class, at least - at FIFA's decision to ban the display of poppies on football shirts for the upcoming England-Scotland international.

In their ruling on the matter, a FIFA spokesperson cited the law which stated that "players equipment should not carry any political, religious or commercial messages."

It added that:

"The laws are applied uniformly in the event of similar requests by any member association to commemorate similar historical events."

Responding to a question from a Labour MP at prime ministers questions, Theresa May declared that it was "outrageous" that FIFA was barring footballers from wearing the poppy and said that FIFA should "jolly well sort their own house out" before trampling on British self-expression.

One loudmouth talk radio host even demanded that both teams refuse to play the match.

Advertisement
Recommended

The FA confirmed today that both England and Scotland are set to defy FIFA and weat black armbands embroidered with poppies.

In the midst of the fury, a Rangers supporter tweeted Tory MP Damian Collins, alerting him to the jersey Ireland wore before the Switzerland friendly last Easter.

The jersey featured a special badge commemorating the 1916 Rising. Collins swiftly tweeted it out and alleged double standards on the part of FIFA.

Advertisement

Advertisement

He also tweeted out a Belfast Telegraph article quoting DUP MP Nelson McCausland raging against the 1916 jersey. By any standards the 1916 jersey carried a political message.

Collins appeared on BBC Radio 4 today and disclosed that he'd written to FIFA asking why Ireland were allowed to wear a jersey commemorating the Easter Rising of 1916.

"That appears to be an absolutely classic example of leniency being shown to other countries," he said of the Irish example.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Read more:"Never Trust Dutch Strikers"- Duffer Sparks Quality RTÉ Pundit Moment

Join The Monday Club Have a tip or something brilliant you wanted to share on? We're looking for loyal Balls readers free-to-join members club where top tipsters can win prizes and Balls merchandise

Processing your request...

You are now subscribed!

Share this article

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Developed by Square1 and powered by PublisherPlus.com

Advertisement