Thursday, 9 November 2017

Germany players to wear black armbands with poppies for friendly at Wembley


Germany players will join England in wearing black armbands sporting poppies for their friendly at Wembley on Friday.
The show of remembrance comes just a few weeks after governing body FIFA changed its rules regarding what can be displayed on kits, having fined England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland last year for displaying poppies to commemorate Armistice Day.
FIFA had considered the poppy to be a political symbol.
It sparked outrage across the country, with even Prime Minister Theresa May wading into the row.
But now teams can wear poppies, so long as their opponents and the organisers of the fixture agree.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have confirmed they will seek permission to display the poppy on armbands for fixtures in the week leading up to and including Remembrance Sunday each year.
Reinhard Grindel, president of the German Football Association, said: "I positively welcome the decision to allow both the English and the German national teams to wear poppy armbands, because these are 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."
English FA chief executive Martin Glenn added: "Remembering and commemorating the men and women who have served this country is ingrained in our nation.
"Many have made the ultimate sacrifice and we will be honouring them, both on and off the pitch, for our match against Germany.
"I would like to thank the German FA for also agreeing to wear the poppy for the match, in a show of solidarity and unity at this important time."
RAF, Army and Navy representatives will lay wreaths before the 8pm kick-off and there will also be a minute's silence after the national anthems, during which the arch above the stadium will glow red and "Football Remembers" will be displayed on the big screen.
Poppy sellers will be stationed inside and outside the ground and a replica of The Truce statue, which depicts the historic First World War ceasefire on Christmas Day in 1914, during which games of football broke out between English and German troops, will be on display beside the Bobby Moore statue.
Friday night's match will also mark the first time video assistant referee (VAR) technology is used in an official game in the UK. It is designed to help officials make the correct calls on key incidents such as goals, red cards and penalties.

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