NORTHERN Ireland manager Michael O’Neill says he’s happy his team can “focus on the football” after the Irish Football Association decided to abide by Fifa’s ruling that his players cannot wear a poppy symbol tonight.
England and Scotland - who meet at Wembley - will flout the Fifa ban on political, religious or commercial messages and will wear a black armband with a poppy symbol on it.
Both countries will face sanctions for doing so, but the Northern Ireland players will wear a plain black armband during their World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan at Windsor Park.
“I have a lot of influence, but none of it exists with Fifa,” said O’Neill.
“This is a decision made by Fifa and I think the association has done everything in their power to mark the occasion with the utmost respect and we will do that as a group of players as well.
“We didn’t feel that it was the right thing, as an association, to violate the regulation. As a group of players and as a management team, we’re happy that the decision has been made and that we can focus on the football now.”
The IFA have confirmed that names of players connected with the association who died during First World War will be displayed and there will be a card display featuring a poppy in the West Stand.
In addition, the Royal British Legion will collect inside the ground for their poppy appeal and a wreath will be laid.
