Fifa open disciplinary proceedings following poppy row, while Jurgen Klopp defends Wayne Rooney and Martin Glenn confirms Gareth Southgate’s determination to land England job
World governing body Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Football Associations of England and Scotland after the national teams of both countries wore poppies during their World Cup qualifier earlier this month.
Both nations defied Fifa by wearing black armbands embroidered with poppies for the match which fell on Armistice Day. The scandal-hit organisation is thought to consider the act a contravention of rules banning political messages.
FA chief executive Martin Glenn, meanwhile, has admitted the behaviour of skipper Wayne Rooney has not been befitting of an England captain. Rooney was pictured in his England tracksuit appearing to party late on Saturday night at a wedding reception.
Rooney has since issued an apology, and Glenn said: “It’s disappointing. It’s appropriate that he apologised. It doesn’t set a great tone for the England captain but I don’t want to over-dramatise it either.”
Manchester United forward Rooney, however, found an ally in Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who defended the actions of the 31-year-old. Klopp said: “All the legends we love and admire drank like devils and smoked like crazy.”
Glenn also confirmed yesterday that interim England boss Gareth Southgate has insisted privately that he wants the Three Lions job on a permanent basis. He added: “He’s made it clear over the last week that he’s convinced he wants the job.”