Veterans saddened by FIFA poppy ban

War veterans have expressed their sadness over FIFA's decision to disallow England from wearing poppies on their shirts against Spain next Saturday.

Football's world governing body bans international teams from making changes to their kits.

"I'm lost for words," said George Batt, general secretary of the Normandy Veterans' Association. "I can't see any harm in wearing a poppy. It's so sad.

"You surely don't need rules and regulations in FIFA like this?

"I think it's a bit childish because, after all is said and done, if it wasn't for us blokes, FIFA wouldn't be here."

The players will instead wear the flower on their training kits before the match at Wembley.