Scottish FA to allow poppies

The Scottish Football Association will allow their players to wear poppies for their friendly against Cyprus on Friday.

Players will wear the flower on a black armband for the game.

The news comes after FIFA gave their approval for England to wear the flower after an initial refusal.

FIFA does not allow international countries to wear political, religious or commercial messages on team shirts.

"Prior to their departure for Cyprus, the Scottish FA made plans for the Scotland National Team players to mark Armistice Day by wearing poppies on their anthem jackets before the match," said Scottish FA Chief Executive Stewart Regan.

"We have kept track of the ongoing debate between the FA and FIFA this week. The decision to allow players to wear black armbands featuring poppies during the match is a pragmatic solution to the fact that FIFA's rules forbid the wearing of the poppy on the match shirt. Subject to the approval of the Cypriot FA as the host nation we will also adopt this approach in our friendly match on Friday night.

"We believe this is a fitting way to show our respect for those members of the armed forces who have lost their lives fighting for their country."

The Welsh FA have also confirmed that their players will wear armbands featuring the flower for their friendly against Norway on Saturday.