The English Football Association has been fined by FIFA after players wore poppies on their armbands during a World Cup qualifier against Scotland in November.
FIFA forbids players and fans from displaying political symbols during games, which includes the poppies that are designed to remember those in the armed forces who have died in the line of duty.
England was fined CHF 45,000 ($43,000), with Scotland handed a $19,500 fine, for participating in the same display on November 11 — Remembrance Day, which marks the anniversary of the end of World War I.
“England has been fined CHF 45,000 for several incidents in the framework of the England vs. Scotland match, including the display by the host association, the English team and spectators of a political symbol and several cases of spectator misconduct,” read a FIFA statement.
“Scotland, as the visiting association, has been fined CHF 20,000 for the display of the same political symbol and cases of misconduct committed by its own group of spectators.”
The FA, which was handed a higher fine as the host nation, was not immediately available for comment.
‘Utterly outrageous’
FIFA’s refusal to allow the English players the right to wear poppies was widely criticized, including by British Prime Minister Theresa May who labeled the move “utterly outrageous.”
England wasn’t the only nation that FIFA punished Monday as the world governing body handed out $580,000 worth of fines to 18 countries.
More to follow.