Germany to join England in wearing poppy at ‘remembrance’ friendly

November 8 – England and Germany will wear black armbands bearing poppies for their friendly international at Wembley on Friday in remembrance of members of the armed forces, past and present.

Late last month the four British associations requested permission from FIFA to wear the poppy symbol on their kit after regulations were changed by FIFA who backed down from their previous stance and allowed poppies to be worn provided the opponent and tournament organiser agreed.

Before softening its stance and issuing its new guidelines, FIFA imposed fines on the four British associations last year saying the wearing of poppies as part of Armistice Day commemorations contravened regulations that that players’ equipment should not carry any “political, religious or commercial” slogans.

Each nation was fined for displaying poppies during games in November 2016. England and Scotland wore the emblem on black armbands during their World Cup qualifier at Wembley, while Wales and Northern Ireland were fined for displaying it in their stadiums.

DFB president Reinhard Grindel said poppy armbands were not about “political propaganda” in any way.

“They’re about remembering the kind of values that were kicked to the ground in two World Wars but are cherished by football: respect, tolerance, and humanity.”

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also be wearing armbands bearing poppies during their international fixtures this week.

Martin Glenn, the  English FA’s chief executive, said: “I would like to thank the German Football Association (DFB) for also agreeing to wear the poppy for the match, in a show of solidarity and unity at this important time.”

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