England & Scotland poppy decision leads to Fifa disciplinary action

England and Scotland players wore armbands bearing poppies during their World Cup qualifier on Armistice Day

Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings against England and Scotland for wearing poppies in Friday's World Cup qualifier.

Players from both countries wore black armbands bearing a poppy during England's 3-0 win at

Wembley, with the game taking place on Armistice Day.

Rules forbid "political" statements on shirts.

Fifa, world football's governing body, would not "speculate on any outcome or provide an estimated timeline".

How did this situation arise?

The idea of players wearing a poppy was raised before the two nations met on 11 November, the day when the United Kingdom traditionally remembers those who have died in conflict.

According to the rule-making International Football Association Board (IFAB), which includes members of the four British football associations, players cannot wear "political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images".

The compromise of wearing a printed poppy on an armband was brokered for England's 1-0 friendly win over Spain at Wembley on 12 November, 2011.

In the same year, Scotland players wore poppies on armbands and on their tracksuits in a match against Cyprus.

However, world football's governing body would not specify before Friday's fixture whether England or Scotland would face punishment for doing so this time around.