(BBC) – FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against England and Scotland for wearing poppies in Friday’s World Cup qualifier.Players from both countries wore black armbands bearing a poppy during England’s 3-0 win at Wembley, with the game taking place on Armistice Day.
Rules forbid “political” statements on shirts.
FIFA, world football’s governing body, would not “speculate on any outcome or provide an estimated timeline”.
The idea of players wearing a poppy was raised before the two nations met on November 11, the day when the United Kingdom traditionally remembers those who have died in conflict.
According to the rule-making International Football Association Board (IFAB), which includes members of the four British football associations, players cannot wear “political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images”.
The compromise of wearing a printed poppy on an armband was brokered for England’s 1-0 friendly win over Spain at Wembley on November 12, 2011.
In the same year, Scotland players wore poppies on armbands and on their tracksuits in a match against Cyprus.
However, world football’s governing body would not specify before toiday’s fixture whether England or Scotland would face punishment for doing so this time around.
MP Damian Collins – chair of the Culture, Media and Sport select committee – wrote to FIFA president Gianni Infantino asking the world governing body to reconsider its decision.
English Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn said players from both sides would wear black armbands carrying the poppy “as a point of principle”.
He also said the FA would contest any charge or punishment, claiming its legal case was “rock solid”.
Meanwhile, chief executive of the Scottish Football Association Stewart Regan said before the match it was prepared to challenge any FIFA sanction imposed.
FIFA says it reminded the four football associations of the rules – though the Football Association of Wales (FAW) said FIFA “turned down a request for the Wales national team to wear poppies on their shirts or on armbands”.
The FAW said it could not risk a financial penalty or point deduction.