FIFA’s decision to ban footballers from wearing poppies on the pitch is “utterly outrageous”, Theresa May has said.
The Prime Minister lambasted football’s ruling body, saying that it should “get its own house in order” before telling the country’s footballers what to do.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Mrs May said: “I think the stance that has been taken by FIFA is utterly outrageous.
“Our football players want to recognise and respect those who have given their lives for our safety and security. I think it is absolutely right that they should be able to do so.
“I think a clear message is going from this house we want our players to be able to wear those poppies and I have to say to FIFA that before they start telling us what to do they jolly well ought to sort their own house out.”
FIFA has refused to let English and Scottish players wear poppies on their shirts when they meet for a World Cup qualifier on Armistice Day.
Under a rule in the 100-page FIFA Equipment Regulations, players are forbidden from wearing anything that could be construed as a political or religious statement on their shirts.
In 2011 England players were allowed to wear black armbands with poppies on during a 11 November match against Spain after the Government and Prince William successfully argued the emblem was not political.
However, a request for the same approach this time fell flat and the outright ban currently stands.
Damian Collins, the chair of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has written to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, urging him to reconsider the ruling.
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