THE decision by world governing body Fifa to ban teams from wearing poppies has got British football fans kicking off.

Fifa has incensed fans by stating teams will be punished if they wear poppies, a symbol of remembrance for those who lost their lives in combat, especially during the world wars, as it is deemed to carry a political, religious or commercial message.

And the banning coincides with the clash between British rivals England and Scotland on Armistice Day, the teams meeting at Wembley in a European Championships qualifying match.

The respective football associations have insisted they will defy the ban by wearing black armbands with the flower emblazoned on, as they have worn in previous years, pictured below.

The Football Association of Wales has also written to Fifa requesting permission to wear poppies on armbands during their game against Serbia the following day.

Football fans across the UK are up-in-arms about the ruling, claiming the poppy represents a respectful and peaceful memorial to fallen serviceman and women, and is in no way political or racist.

Among the 90,000 fans expected at Wembley next Friday, the 102nd anniversary of the signing of the Armistice to signal the end of the First World War, will be Paul Nesbit, the owner of Prudhoe pub Halfway House.

A passionate football fan and patriotic Brit, he has been disgusted by Fifa’s stance.

As treasurer of the Hexham and District Sunday League, he and fellow committee members make sure all teams observe a minute’s silence on Remembrance Sunday if they are playing.

In 2007, people observing the silence at 11am were disgusted when they could overhear strong language and shouting from footballers playing on the nearby Sele pitch.

From that point onwards, teams playing on that pitch stop playing just before 11am to join in the silence, before resuming the match.

The same now applies elsewhwere in the district, with the entire league doing the same. Previously, teams used to observe the silence prior to the 10.30am kick off.

Paul said: “There was an incident when footballers upset people observing the minute’s silence at 11am, and I think that was a bit of an oversight. But for all in the Sunday League, we think it is key for all teams to pay their respects in some way.

“I am going to the England game and I think it is a scandal Fifa is banning the poppy, as it is not political, racist or advertising. It’s about remembrance and saying thank you to those who helped make our lives better.

“My great-grandfather was killed in the First World War along with some great uncles, so to me it is about a mark of respect.

“I’ll be wearing my poppy, and I sell them in the pub too.

“I think everybody should be given a big picture of a poppy when they walk into the stadium, and what a message that would be with 90,000 people holding them up high and proud.”

It’s not just football fans who Fifa has upset; the wider public is disgusted with the banning of the symbol. Irene Davis, who organises the Poppy Appeal in Prudhoe and district, was horrified when she heard the news.

Irene, secretary of the Prudhoe branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “I think it’s absolutely disgusting. It does no harm to anyone and I think people should be able to make up their own mind to wear one or not.

“To me it seems petty, as the poppy is about showing respect and represents the blood shed during the wars.

“I think if Fifa does fine the teams, then people would help pay it as people feel so strongly about it.

“When we’ve been out selling poppies, loads of people have been coming and saying, ‘have you heard what Fifa has done?’ so there is clearly a lot of anger about it.”