Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

FIFA has banned poppies from being worn by England and Scotland players at next week’s World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

Football’s governing body said the symbol of memorial is a political statement and cannot be worn on shirts for the game which falls on Armistice Day.

Its rules decree shirts should not carry political, religious or commercial messages.

But the move - which comes five years after England were given a poppy ban in a game against Spain on the eve of Remembrance Sunday - has caused fury among some fans.

Falklands veteran Simon Weston said the FA should risk a potential fine than sacrifice honouring ­British troops for a second time.

(Image: The FA via Getty Images)

He said: “The FAs of both ­Scotland and England should stand up and be counted.”

“Both those countries took part in both World Wars and should take the lead. They should pay any fine has to give them. This is not a political gesture.”

The Royal British Legion added: “We see no reason why the poppy should be banned as it is not a political symbol.”

(Image: Getty Images)

A spokesman for the FA said it is “working closely” with the Royal British Legion again this year to honour and remember the sacrifices made by those serving in the Armed Forces.

And a Fifa spokesman confirmed the organisation was “in contact with the FA over the issue”. However, it is yet to release an official statement on the ban.

In 2011 then Prime Minister David Cameron, FA president Prince William and the FA called on FIFA to let England shirts carry an embroidered poppy for a game against Spain.

But FIFA refused to back down and suggested England players could wear black armbands and lay a wreath on the pitch during the national anthems.

They finally compromised and players were allowed to wear a poppy on the armband for the November 2011 fixture.