Football: Welsh Abandon Poppy Plans For Qualifier

CARDIFF, United Kingdom, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Nov, 2016 ) - Welsh players will not wear commemorative poppies in Saturday's World Cup qualifier with Serbia after world governing body FIFA turned down their request to do so.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) admitted Thursday fear over a fine or a points deduction had made them take the decision -- the players will wear black armbands instead. World governing body FIFA forbids teams from wearing political, commercial or religious symbols during matches and has warned England and Scotland they could face sanctions if they defy the directive.

Although the Welsh have opted to toe the line both the English Football Association and their Scottish counterparts have decided their players will wear black armbands with poppy motifs to honour Britain's war dead in the Armistice Day fixture.

"The FAW naturally wishes to respect and honour those who fought and lost their lives fighting for their country," said Jonathan Ford, the chief executive of the FAW.