Northern Ireland to wear black armbands but no poppies for Azerbaijan game

Northern Ireland will wear plain black armbands during Friday night's World Cup Qualifier against Azerbaijan to mark Armistice Day, the Irish Football Association (IFA) has revealed.

England and Scotland have already confirmed they will defy FIFA regulations by wearing armbands featuring a poppy when they meet at Wembley on the same night.

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That is in contravention of FIFA Rule 4.4, which states that players' equipment should not carry any political, religious or commercial messages.

Having failed to secure assurances they would not face disciplinary proceedings if they were to wear poppies, the IFA has decided not to do so.

"Following discussions between the Irish FA and FIFA, the Northern Ireland team will wear a plain black armband during Friday night's World Cup qualifying match against Azerbaijan to mark Armistice Day," read an IFA statement.

"A minute's silence will also be held immediately before kick-off, names of players connected with the association who died during First World War will be shown on the big screen and there will be a card display featuring a poppy in the West Stand.

England & Scotland to wear poppy

England and Scotland to wear poppies on armbands for Wembley World Cup Qualifier

"The Royal British Legion will collect inside the ground for this year's Poppy Appeal and a wreath will be laid in memory of the fallen.

"Finally, there will be a special feature in the match-day programme on four international players who fought and died during the Great War."

Chief Executive of the Irish Football Association, Patrick Nelson, said: "The Irish FA is committed to marking Armistice Day with appropriate acts of remembrance.
 
"We asked FIFA if permission could be granted for the Northern Ireland team to wear a poppy on the shirt or on an armband.

Live International Football: FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers

"Based on law 4.4 of the laws of the game 2016/17, FIFA advised that they could give no guarantee that there would not be disciplinary proceedings if the Northern Ireland team was to wear a symbol of remembrance on the playing shirt.
 
"As a member of IFAB, we have placed clarification of law 4.4 on the agenda for the next annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board which will be held in London in March."

Watch Northern Ireland v Azerbaijan on Friday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7:30pm.