More than 300,000 have signed The Sun’s petition to let England and Scotland players wear poppies during Armistice Day clash
THE Sun’s petition demanding FIFA allow England and Scotland players to wear poppies on their shirts for the Armistice Day clash has smashed through the 200,000 barrier.
The online Change.org petition now stands at over 300,000 and is surging by the second as thousands show their patriotic support.
The surge has doubled the tally of signatories in a DAY.
Out-of-touch FIFA bureaucrats are refusing to allow the players wear the poignant emblem for the game on Friday, November 11, calling it a political symbol.
The Sun’s campaign – backed by our army of loyal readers – now has the backing of PM Theresa May and sports minster Tracey Crouch.
They were joined by big names including Bond legend Sir Roger Moore who said: “A poppy isn’t a political statement, it is respect”.
He added: “Fifa’s president is Swiss, its ex-president was also Swiss. They’ve been neutral for 400 or 500 years, so they don’t have any feelings about what it means to be killed or invalided by war.”
Three Lions legend John Terry has also thrown his weight behind the campaign - saying it is important that those who died fighting for their country are remembered.
“I hope Fifa will allow the England & Scotland players to wear poppies on their shirts for the upcoming fixture,” said the defensive giant.
“It’s important that we remember those who died so courageously in the war and it is a mark of respect that will be viewed around the world.”
While Stuart Pearce – who won 78 caps for his country and played in three major tournaments – told Sun Online: “I think it would be wonderful mark of respect if we can remember those who fought and died in the war.
“Fifa should back away from this one…common sense should prevail.”
Support for our crusade against the Fifa ban came from the worlds of the military, politics, sport and showbiz.
Colonel Richard Kemp, former British Army commander in Afghanistan said: “This is absolutely disgraceful.
“England and Scotland should ignore the ban and take the consequences. Our soldiers faced far greater dangers than being dictated to by some tinpot dictator from Fifa.”
Fresh hope for a new stance from Fifa bosses was sparked last night as it emerged the policy was likely to be discussed at a summit tomorrow.
Scottish FA chief Stewart Regan said Fifa had turned down a request for players to wear armbands featuring poppies — as worn by England for a match in 2011 — because they are “sticking to the letter of the law”.
Meanwhile Fifa’s decision to brand the poppy a “political statement” is seen as “insulting and disrespectful” by the UK public, it was claimed yesterday.