NORTHERN Ireland football manager Michael O'Neill said the poppy row was an "unwelcome distraction" from football last year, as he called for quick and clear decision from Fifa.
World football's governing body appears to have backed down in its row with the four Football associations over the wearing of poppies by players in international matches.
Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales were all fined for ignoring warnings not to commemorate Armistice Day during their World Cup qualifiers last November.
Fifa's stance - based on a strict interpretation of its laws against the use of personal, political or religious slogans or symbols - sparked widespread condemnation in Britain, with Prime Minister Theresa May calling it "utterly outrageous" in Parliament.
But now Fifa has sent its member associations new guidance on law four, the section of the game's rule book on what players can wear.
In the document, seen by Press Association Sport, Fifa says certain "initiatives" may appear on players' kits, along with the usual name, number, team crest and so on.
However, the document does not provide much clarity on what these "initiatives" might be, other than saying they cannot breach law 12, which refers to foul play and abusive language, and restates law four's existing criteria which rule out wearing "personal" or "religious...slogans, statements or images".
This leaves "political", which FIFA admits "is less clear", although it obviously rules out slogans and symbols related to political parties and governments.
Mr O'Neill said yesterday that it had been hard for the players to be embroiled in the row.
"I know how difficult it was around last year - should the poppy be displayed, should it not - at times, from a football point of view, it was an unwelcome distraction," he said.
"It is an issue for the association, not a decision for me and hopefully we can get clarity and get clarity early.
"The players and myself just want to focus on football."
The memo states: "When commemorating a significant national or international event, the sensibilities of the opposing team (including its supporters) and the general public should be carefully considered."
It is being interpreted as meaning that, in practice, any team that wants to wear poppies on their shirts to mark Armistice Day, can do so, providing they get their opponents' permission and inform the organisers of the match.
It is understood the fines levied to the Irish Football Association, Football Association of Wales, Football Aassociation and Scottish Football Association were not paid and will now simply be forgotten.
