As ludicrous poppy ban row rages on, England stars lay wreaths in tribute to fallen heroes

ENGLAND aces wore their poppies with pride in defiance at Fifa's shameless ban as they laid wreaths at a cemetery today.

Captain Wayne Rooney, 31, Joe Hart, 29, and Daniel Sturridge, 27, dressed in tracksuits with the touching tribute pinned to their chests.

And the players were accompanied by interim manager Gareth Southgate as they paid their respects to the fallen.

All four laid poppy wreaths bearing the touching words "football remembers" while Mr Southgate placed a flower on a war grave.

The emotional visit to Stapenhill Cemetery yesterday comes just three days before their Armistice Day match against Scotland - when heartless Fifa bosses have banned the symbol of remembrance.

Sign the petition to let English and Scottish footballers wear their poppies with pride .

The FAs of both countries have vowed to flout the ban by wearing armbands carrying an image of the flower.

Arrogant execs at football's world governing body sparked uproar when they ruled the emblem a political symbol.

They insist it is banned under the strict rules that govern football but were blasted by PM Theresa May, sports minister Tracey Crouch and the Royal British Legion.

Celebs including Bond actor Roger Moore joined veterans and sports stars in heaping shame on the unaccountable bureaucrats over their callous stance.

And The Sun led the way as we campaigned to overturn Fifa's insensitive attitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in war.

We organised a petition which has soared to more than 315,000 names led by former RAF prisoner of war John Nichol.

And we flew three veterans - including Falklands hero Simon Weston - to Zurich to present our show of strength.

We still need more signatures to heap further pressure on football bosses - and you can sign at .

A devastating open letter from the Royal British Legion to Fifa last week read: "The red poppy is a symbol of Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. It has no political, religious or commercial meaning.

"This small red flower that grew on the devastated battlefields of the First World War is a solemn reminder of the cost of war and the price of peace.

"The red poppy is worn so that we never forget the commitment and sacrifices of the serving, never forget those who need help to live on through the consequences of war, and always remember our troubled world needs reconciliation and peace."