FA confirms it will defy FIFA's poppy ban to commemorate Armistice Day

The Football Association has released a statement confirming that it will defy FIFA's ban on England and Scotland players wearing poppies to commemorate Armistice Day.

The English FA and Scottish FA requested that the players' shirts have poppies sewn into them as a mark of respect to the men and women of the armed forces who have lost their lives in combat.

FIFA denied the request, stating that the tribute would breach rules forbidding teams of displaying political, religious or commercial symbols on their kits.

Despite FIFA's stance, the English FA has confirmed that the players will wear black armbands bearing poppies during the World Cup qualifier at Wembley on November 11.

A statement read: "We fully respect the laws of the game and take our founding role on the International Football Association Board extremely seriously. The poppy is an important symbol of remembrance and we do not believe it represents a political, religious or commercial message, nor does it relate to any one historical event.

"In keeping with the position agreed with FIFA back in 2011 and in what we believe is in accordance with Law 4, para 4, the FA intend to pay appropriate tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by having the England team wear black armbands bearing poppies in our fixture on Armistice Day."

The Scottish FA has confirmed that its players will also don the armbands.