ZURICH: The football associations of both England and Scotland have been charged with disciplinary offences by world federation FIFA over events surrounding the staging of the World Cup at Wembley on November 11 writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

This would be in line with action taken earlier this month against the Iranan federation.

Both the FA and the SFA were advised in advance by the world federation that the wearing of a poppy symbol on players’ armbands would breach regulations on across-the-board additional ‘messages’.

The poppy is a symbol of remembrance in the UK alone and is not recognised formally internationally.

It is understood the Football Association has been notified that pre-match events on Armistice Day are also under scrutiny.

This would potentially include the display of poppies on big screens in Wembley, the minute silence, the playing of the Last Post and handing poppy T-shirts out to attending fans.

The Iranian federation was recently FIFA has fined CHF 45,000 ($46,000) Iran and for allowing “several religious manifestations” at a World Cup qualifier against South Korea in Tehran on October 11.

The Iranians were punished for holding a “religious ceremony” both before the game and again at halftime.

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