FIFA denies imposing England, Scotland poppy ban for Wembley clash

FIFA has insisted that reports of England and Scotland being banned from wearing poppies on their shirts for Friday night's World Cup qualifier are "a distortion of the facts".

Both sides have been denied the chance to sport the symbol of remembrance on their tops during the Wembley Stadium showdown, which coincides with Armistice Day.

The world governing body had warned that possible sanctions could follow should they fail to abide by the law, including a potential fine and a points deduction, as rules in place prohibit players from wearing political images during international fixtures.

However, FIFA claims that the rules are laid out by the International Football Association Board and not by its own organisation, with a spokesman telling BBC Sport: "The perception that FIFA 'banned' anything is a distortion of the facts. Only the independent disciplinary committee can decide."

England Under-21s players displayed the flower on armbands during their win over Italy on Thursday evening, while fellow home nations Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to wear plain black armbands to remember the war dead.