Nov 11, 2016 at 7.45pm UK at ​Wembley Stadium
England
vs.
Scotland

Darren Fletcher backs decision to wear poppies

West Bromwich Albion captain Darren Fletcher in action during the Premier League match against Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns on August 28, 2016
© SilverHub
Scotland captain Darren Fletcher backs the SFA's decision to defy FIFA and wear poppies during their World Cup qualifier with England at Wembley.

Scotland captain Darren Fletcher has backed the SFA's decision to wear poppies during their World Cup qualifier with England on Friday.

Both teams are set to defy FIFA rules that prohibit political, religious or commercial messages on shirts by wearing black armbands adorned with poppies to pay respect to members of the British Armed Forces.

Scotland and England could potentially be docked points as a result of their defiance, but Fletcher believes that the teams are making the right decision.

"First and foremost I think everyone would love to wear the poppy and wants to wear the poppy to show our respect. FIFA have their rules and you understand why but hopefully common sense prevails. I don't want to talk too much about it and what the consequences are for us because it's important to concentrate on the game but the players would love to show their respects by wearing the poppy," he told reporters.

"You can see today how much it means to people. There was a bit of a misunderstanding at the start (of the minute's silence in Sunday's game, a 2-1 win at Leicester), the Albion fans were in the concourse singing and were not aware of what was going on out on the pitch. It caused a bit of confusion, Albion fans would not have done anything like that intentionally. It was a great occasion and everyone should pay their respects.

"I'm not even thinking about [the poppy debate]. We have a game to play and things like that get taken care of by people in higher places than me. My focus is the game, England vs. Scotland, and trying to get three points for my country which would be massive at Wembley."

Scotland currently sit fourth in Group F, three points behind leaders England.

Interim manager Gareth Southgate watches on during England training on October 4, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1182130141626
2Chelsea118122691725
3Manchester CityMan City1173125101524
4Arsenal1173124111324
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs11560156921
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd115331613318
7Everton115331513218
8Watford114341519-415
9Burnley114251115-414
10Southampton113441212013
11West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom113441215-313
12Stoke CityStoke113441318-513
13Bournemouth113351316-312
14Leicester CityLeicester113351318-512
15Middlesbrough112541012-211
16Crystal Palace113261619-311
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham113261120-911
18Hull City113171024-1410
19Swansea CitySwansea111281021-115
20Sunderland11128921-125