Fifa to punish Wales after supporters wear poppies

Wales' Gareth Bale, centre, leaves the pitch after the final whistle of the 2018 World Cup Group D qualifying soccer match between Wales and Serbia. Photo / AP

The row with Fifa over the Armistice Day commemorations took another extraordinary twist overnight when the Football Association of Wales (FAW) revealed that world football's governing body are even investigating how "some supporters in the stands" wore a poppy.

Unlike the England and Scotland players, the Welsh footballers agreed not to wear a poppy on their playing kit during the World Cup qualifier against Serbia in an attempt to avert either a fine or a points deduction.

Fifa, however, have still opened disciplinary proceedings against the Welsh and the FAW, who are stunned by the latest development, have now decided to reveal details of the specific incidents that are under investigation.

They include the observation that some supporters in the stand were wearing the poppy; that a member of the armed forces was holding a bunch of poppies at the exit to the tunnel; that a fans' mosaic was displayed during the national anthem and that some supporters had displayed a banner depicting the poppy before the match.

The FAW are adamant that they paid their respects in a "dignified and humble way" that respected Fifa's regulations.

Fifa's pre-match guidance had centred on how the "players' equipment should not carry any political, religious or commercial messages" and the FAW do not understand how they breached the rule.

"Naturally as an association we are disappointed and surprised at the news," said Jonathan Ford, the chief executive of the FAW. "Our intention was to show respect on Armistice weekend which we feel we did in the right and proper way.

"We also adhered to the rules and regulations of the competition and the communication from Fifa prohibiting the FAW request for the players to wear the poppy symbol on the armbands or the field of play. We are particularly disappointed that one of the charges relates to supporters in the stands wearing poppies. Naturally as an association we will strongly contest the charges."

The case will be submitted to the Fifa Disciplinary Committee for evaluation on Dec 9, while the FAW have until Nov 29 to respond.