James McClean recently came out against wearing the poppy for upcoming games – so what is the history and significance of wearing the red flower?
Having the poppy flower sewn on football jerseys has become a tradition in the Premier League over the past several years, with the symbol a tribute to fallen soldiers from the First World War.
Certain footballers such as James McClean, however, who is Irish, have come out and refused to wear the poppy to mixed reaction – some hostile, and some ambivalent.
What is the meaning behind wearing the poppy, and why does it have so much significance within modern-day Britain?
What is the history behind the poppy?
In the aftermath following the First World War, the poppy flower became a unifying symbol of remembrance and commemoration of the soldiers who gave up their lives and filled the war zones of Northern Europe while representing their country between 1914 and 1918.
Since 2012, each Premier League club have had poppies sewn into their shirts during the month of November in the lead-up to Remembrance Day (November 11).
The red flower of the poppy was specifically selected as a reference to the battlefields where the red flowers grew in abundance.
The special shirts are then auctioned as part of the annual Poppy Appeal organised by The Royal British Legion.
Why do some footballers choose not to wear a poppy?
Certain footballers choose not to wear poppies due to their national allegiances.
Republic of Ireland footballer James McClean was born and raised in the city of Derry in Northern Ireland and was brought up on Creggan estate, where six of the people killed on Bloody Sunday in 1972 came from.
Bloody Sunday was one of the most historically significant events of The Troubles conflict in the country, when British soldiers shot 28 unarmed civilians during a peaceful protest march.
McClean has decided against wearing the poppy due to the fact that the symbol represents and pays tribute to military personnel who have perished in the war – and not only soldiers who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
He has refused to wear the poppy during his time playing in England, and recently confirmed that he will abstain from wearing the poppy on his shirt for Stoke's upcoming games against Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest.
The 29-year-old stated: “I know many people won’t agree with my decision or even attempt to gain an understanding of why I don’t wear a poppy.
“I accept that but I would ask people to be respectful of the choice I have made, just as I’m respectful of people who do choose to wear a poppy."
Stoke said they respected McClean's decision not to wear one, and said in the same statement: "As a Club we will be supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal by wearing the Poppy on our home shirt in the fixture against Middlesbrough on November 3 and on our away shirt in the fixture against Nottingham Forest on November 10.
"The club is proud of its close connections with the Armed Forces and have also invited members of the Armed Forces to join our remembrance at the Middlesbrough fixture.
“However, we recognise that the Poppy means different things to different individuals and communities and (like the Royal British Legion) do not believe that anybody should be forced or even pressured to wear the Poppy against their free will.
"James has informed us that he will not be wearing a Remembrance Day Poppy in our next two games. We respect his decision and his right to follow his own convictions.”
What has the reaction been towards players who refuse to wear a poppy?
Reaction towards players has been mixed – some respectful and some hostile.
McClean has said on previous occasions that while he does not expect everyone to understand his decision, he has asked for them to merely respect it – but has been the subject of boos from opposition clubs as well as fans of his own team.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
216
if don't wear the poppy it means that you don't respect the country. so why you are playing in this country. you should refuse to play in the country's league also. plse reepect the fallens of the country
You Can't force a tradition on someone if it's not compulsory. Poppies are worn as a sign of grievance and respect for the fallen but you can't wear one 24/7. Fair enough on memorial day as a sign of respect it's fine but you can't impose on others your own beliefs then assume they don't show respect cos they don't waver to the beliefs you want to instil in them. As one of the guys said. A lot of people come from different backgrounds so if you have respect, you also have to respect that what may seem as fallen comrade to you is not fallen comrades to them. English citizen does not equal someone of English origin cos if that's what you think, you're mistaken. Upholding the law is a must, wearing poppies all the time is not.....
Nesaiknruy_Legend
151
if don't wear the poppy it means that you don't respect the country. so why you are playing in this country. you should refuse to play in the country's league also. plse reepect the fallens of the country
It's a choice. Usually it's worn on memorial day but some wear it on the kit like Newcastle cos they had many players on the past who served in the war. Sign of remembering them... Doesn't mean you don't respect the fallen but mostly everyone wears it on memorial day...
Vipacdknot
90
Rational thinking is all about understanding moral arguments and also coming to understand why people make the related decisions. It's not about criticizing people for what they believe in. And I never said the tradition should be scrapped. All I said is that the guy has a right to believe in whatever he wants. You can't force someone to see eye-to-eye with you. That's ignorant. Now stop bitching and accept the fact that we all come from different backgrounds and have different perceptions about different things. You should open your mind rather than opening that lousy mouth of yours.
for me if his beliefs is so strong tell him to leave the English territory. and go to nurture his beliefs in his country. tell this guy to leave or else more people will start following this idiot. and the wearing of the poppy will have no meaning because of stupid jerks like you. for me this chat with you ends here since you seem to be an intellectually limited guy because you don't know the history behind wearing the poppy. rip our fallen ones
pesikmoru
71
Matic alsk dicided not to wear a poppy but he did not voice out why
I support all the players who don't wear it.I will never support anything English or American that deals with blood,they have spilled many
Nesaiknruy_Legend
52
It's repsect for fallen soldiers who served in previous wars, some of which were actually part time footballers. Hence the poppy is worn out of a sign of respect and a minutes silence is held every year..