Let us honour our heroes: Desperate England plead with FIFA to do U-turn on poppies

By Matt Barlow for the Daily Mail and Laura Williamson for MailOnline
Updated: 18:32 EST, 7 November 2011

The FA are refusing to give up their fight with FIFA to let England's footballers wear their poppies with pride at Wembley on Saturday.

General secretary Alex Horne sent a letter to the world game's governing body on Monday in the hope of persuading Sepp Blatter to change his mind.

Pride of a lion: How Frank Lampard would look with the poppy on his shirt

And Frank Lampard, who is likely to be captain for the clash with world champions Spain, has joined the call for the rules to be relaxed to allow England to show their support on the eve of Remembrance Sunday.

Since learning of FIFA's intention to class poppies on shirts as a political statement, angry readers have been bombarding Sportsmail with messages of support for our longstanding campaign for football to honour the heroes of the armed forces.

Adrian Bevington, managing director of the FA's Club England, said: 'We have sent another letter to FIFA making a request for this to be reconsidered. Everyone is aware of our feelings on the importance of wearing the poppy.

Strong feelings: Managing Director of Club England Adrian Bevington wears his poppy during a visit to England's Euro 2012 training base in Krakow on Monday

'We wrote to FIFA about three weeks ago setting out our requests and we were advised that, for various technical reasons about what could be shown on the shirt, they were declining the request. They have granted us a minute's silence and we've outlined that we will be wearing poppies in training on Friday and we'll have a two-minute silence in training on Friday.

'The armed forces will be on the pitch before the game on Saturday and there will be 500 servicemen and women in the stands.'

FIFA turned down the initial request because they view the poppy as a political symbol which, under their rules, players are not allowed to wear on their kit.

The organisation believe allowing England, Scotland and Wales to honour the memories of British servicemen and women in that way could set a precedent that could lead to problems.

But the FA have not yet abandoned all hope of convincing them otherwise, while Wales will also press FIFA to have a change of heart.

Bevington said: 'We're really committed to supporting the armed services, remembering them and supporting those currently serving. We have a fantastic relationship with Tickets for Troops and I have had a good dialogue with the Royal British Legion.'

Lampard and other England players are unhappy with FIFA's stance. A spokesman for the Chelsea midfielder said: 'Frank's absolutely in favour of the poppy being on the England kit. It's something that he's passionate about.'

Gary Speed's Wales host Norway at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday and talks are ongoing after their request was turned down by FIFA.

Pride of the country: The FA have a strong commitment to British servicemen and women

But the Scottish FA have been forced to make alternative arrangements as their match will take place a day earlier, falling on Armistice Day itself.

FIFA have told Scotland Craig Levein's side cannot wear poppies for their clash in Cyprus, a country where 3,500 British troops are based.

Instead, Scotland will warm up in tracksuits embroidered with poppies. Official images of the team's new kit, which will be launched this week, will also feature the flower.

The Scottish FA have also invited British servicemen and women based in Cyprus to watch Friday's friendly.