poppy appeal
The Fifa position was that the poppy fell under the definition of "a political or religious symbol" and therefore had no place in sport. It is a position from which Fifa has now, belatedly but sensibly and with more or less good grace, backed down. And that's good news for anyone who supports freedom of choice in matters of conscience and conviction.
Some see the poppy as 'a political symbol with multiple offensive, upsetting connotations.'
So it's November and the beginning of November has always been synonymous for me with the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal. Normally I am working and the appeal just drifts around me. I buy my poppy and I might watch the Remembrance service from the Royal Albert Hall or the Cenotaph if I'm free.
Wearing a poppy is, for some, a nice gesture. But if it's done mindlessly - poppies handed out on an armband as the players wait in the tunnel, just for show, just so they can be seen to be wearing one without the accompanying donation - it's essentially an empty gesture. As empty as the outrage over the ban.
They should 'sort their own house out'
The Prime Minister herself got her poppy yesterday.
It's that time of year again..