England Players Show Poppy Support On Boots
After agreeing a compromise with FIFA over the long-running poppy saga, England players remain unsatisfied with just being allowed poppies on their black arm-bands for the match against Spain this weekend. In great fashion, England players have found another way around FIFA's ruling - on their boots!
Some England players have given their football boots added personalization for the big occasion. Theo Walcott, Ashley Cole and Gabriel Agbonlahor are just some of the players who will take to the Wembley turf this Saturday sporting a poppy on their boots!
Expect to see many of England's starting eleven with poppies on their boots this Saturday. From our understanding, all Nike and Umbro players are to be given the same boot personalisation. Alongside the featured Nike trio, Joe Hart, John Terry and Darren Bent are all expected to line-up in the same fashion. Don't be surprised if the TV camera's pick up on the players unique additions to their boots!
A traditional symbol of remembrance for those who have lost their lives at war, FIFA refused the England team permission to wear poppies on their shirts, identifying the poppy as a political symbol. There were even calls for the FA to defy FIFA if a compromise was not reached. From the looks of things, Nike had a sly move up their sleeves - a move football's governing body surely wouldn't have considered!
Spearheading support for the Poppy Appeal, Nike have stated they will make a donation to The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal to show their support, and the players will be donating their special poppy-embroidered boots after the game to the appeal for the British Legion to auction at a later date.
We'll have a close eye on the England players when they line up against the world champions this Saturday at Wembley. What other boots would you like to see the poppy on? Share your thoughts online.
