The England and Scotland soccer teams are facing disciplinary action after defying FIFA by wearing poppies on black armbands during a World Cup qualifier played on Remembrance Day.
“We can confirm disciplinary proceedings have been opened on this matter,” a spokesperson for soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
READ MORE: England, Scotland to defy FIFA ban on poppies on team uniforms
FIFA regulations prevent players from wearing symbols that could be perceived as political in nature. However, both the English and Scottish Football Associations (FAs) said in the lead-up to the game that they believed the poppy to be a symbol of remembrance, and one that doesn’t contravene FIFA rules.
“The FA intend to pay appropriate tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by having the England team wear black armbands bearing poppies in our fixture on Armistice Day,” read a Nov. 3 statement from the English FA.
READ MORE: England soccer team in talks with FIFA over wearing poppies on jerseys
The controversy surrounding the wearing of poppies on team uniforms is not a new one. Back in 2011, FIFA compromised by allowing England players to wear poppies on their armbands rather than on their jerseys.
It was hoped that a similar work-around would be allowed to let slide by FIFA. But it now appears that England and Scotland could face sanctions in the form of fines or even point deductions, although FIFA’s spokesperson declined to offer details.
READ MORE: 2 members of English nationalist group protest FIFA poppy ban on roof of headquarters
“Please understand we cannot comment further at this stage nor speculate on any outcome or provide an estimated timeline,” he said.
The poppy transgression was officially reported by Wales FA president David Griffiths, who was the official FIFA delegate for the game. The Welsh team decided against wearing poppies for their game against Serbia to avoid falling foul of FIFA’s rules.
— With files from Reuters.
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