FIFA fines British federations for memorials at WCup matches
GENEVA (AP) — The four British soccer federations were fined Monday by FIFA for displaying poppies at World Cup qualifying matches in November to honor their war dead.
England’s federation must pay 45,000 Swiss francs ($43,800) for the “display of a political symbol” at a home match against Scotland on Nov. 11. Scotland was fined 20,000 Swiss francs ($19,500).
In other decisions, Romania was punished for a firework thrown at Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, Greece was fined for a fan banner against Bosnia-Herzegovina which referred to the Srebrenica massacre, and Chile was sanctioned again because of the anti-gay slurs chanted by its fans.
England and Scotland defied FIFA advice against the use of political, religious or personal symbols and wore black armbands embroidered with poppies.
A pre-match ceremony also commemorated British soldiers on the anniversary of the World War I armistice.
Wales and Northern Ireland then followed with similar displays at their home World Cup qualifiers the following day.
“With these decisions, it is not our intention to judge or question specific commemorations as we fully respect the significance…
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