Man Utd and Liverpool refuse to embroider Poppy on their shirts
The general public opinion is that football clubs playing on the 12th matchday of the Premier League should commemorate Remembrance Day, which acknowledges the sacrifices made during World War II. However, two of England’s major clubs persist in not commemorating this event on their shirts for this single matchday. It is a pity that, after Manchester United and Liverpool receive so much from the community in terms of revenue, support, merchandising sales, and record attendances, they will fail to give that little something back to the English community.
All the clubs in the Premier League have agreed to wear a shirt with the trademark Remembrance Poppy sign embroidered on it for their respective matches. The latest addition to the list was Bolton, which dragged its heels but finally submitted to the public’s request. Arsenal have gone a step further and will auction the match-worn shirts to raise funds for charity. The excuse brought forward by the two clubs, Man Utd and Liverpool, is that the Poppy does not show on their respective red shirts. But this argument does not hold. If something is not visible from a distance, does it mean that it is not there?
The decision not to include this sign on the shirts drags down the two firms’ image of socially-responsible entities. Both clubs give their contribution to the British Legion, but the absence of that little sign of commemoration, especially when everyone else is doing it, will certainly not go down well with the public. After all, it doesn’t take much to embroider the Poppy on the first-team shirts for a single match. Why not just do it? United and Liverpool have outlined what they plan to do in the following comments:
Manchester United
‘We are very proud of the work we do with the Armed Forces and we do not feel a poppy on the shirt would add to our contribution. Our staff and officials will be wearing them as usual and we are confident we are doing the right thing.’
Liverpool
‘We have worked with the British Legion to help publicise and support the Poppy Appeal. There will be a minute’s silence before our game against Birmingham on Monday, a ceremonial poppy placed on the centre circle, a ground collection and advertising made available to raise awareness.’
I can’t really see how this small act could really inconvenience them, but the negative publicity may affect them in the short term. I wonder if they have one eye on the overseas market? Perhaps they feel it might offend their Middle Eastern market for it to actually be on the shirt. They protest their many good works for the Royal British Legion, which are laudable, so why not this? It seems slightly odd.
Man U get special patches put on their European shirts that aren’t there for their domestic ties, what is the big deal with putting on this poppy for support? Also, how can they say that they don’t feel that adding the poppy to the shirt would add to their contribution? No teams would be asked to put them on jerseys if it didn’t add to awareness all around.
I am a Man Utd fan and I am really ashamed that this is the case. Wearing a poppy shows the support and appriciation for what it stands for. I agree with ‘MisterBroom12′ Utd wear a crappy little shield in the champions leaue games (which looks awful) but wont wear a poppy for oneame!!! Shocking!!!
1 a poppy on a shirt is disrespectful 2 players and some fans and 2 they hav to wear that sheild because fifa make them cause their the world club champs
Mark, why is it disrespectful to players and some fans?
That’s disgusting, it takes so little effort to put this on, and their excuse that you cant see it is stupid. The poppy on the arsenal shirt above with the white outline is clearly visible!
Like Mike, I am also a United fan who feels a bit ashamed. As for the ‘red on red’ excuse, I couldn’t help but notice that we have a big black ‘v’ on the front of our shirts. Surely it wouldn’t hurt to put the poppy on that?
i find this absolutely atrocious and extremely disrespectful to our armed forces. many of them lost their lives for our freedom. one poppy for ONE game won’t hurt them. and that is absolute rubbish that you can’t see it. PUT IT ON WITH A WHITE EDGE LIKE ARSENAL DID! and anyway, i dont care if fifa make them wear that stupid sheild for champions league games, it looks awful.
So what? Surely giving the money to the charity is the important bit, not being a show-off at how generous you are!
mark, or should that be no mark? Because you certainly are one. It’s the valour and honour that the fallen we remember them and that we should remember that if it was not for them you would not be able to spout your objectionable remarks. As for Man Utd and Liverpool, they are beneath contempt with that attitude. A bloody disgrace in fact!
These are two of the biggest clubs on the planet. Carrying that small symbol on their shirts would do more for the cause in 90 minutes than any number of behind the scenes fund raisers they participated in.
Disappointed with the pair of them. Britains 2 biggest clubs should be showing more respect not only to the dead service men but also to all our heroes doing us proud in Afghanistan. Maybe they are scared of upsetting our islamic chums.
Well said Butler.
WTF is wrong with these clubs? Brave men died so that they could enjoy the freedoms we have.
Is it that hard to put a little back?
This is totally disgusting. Note that both clubs are owned by foreigners. I don’t care how they try to whitewash this. Being disrespectful like this is disgusting. Even Jerry Adams was wearing a poppy the other day on TV. If that mug can, then what makes the Man United and Liverpool think they can get away with it.
Disgusting.
Thats why I dont like ManU and Liverpool as they are very arrogant.
lfc fan, will be at game on mon( monday! bring back sat 3pm for most fixtures) cant understand why not adding poppy to shirt along with other remembrance, should be setting right not wrong example to millions. wanted to say that more than ever owners/ management do not speak for fans- many soldiers/ families in wider lfc community and constant support for victims of war – thats why we wear poppy to any attention seekers who refuse.
shame on united i would’ve thought they would be better
its a simple thing really, and Liverpool are just as bad…
if hartlepool can do it so can man utd and liverpool. red on red is as many have said no excuse. shows a lot of disrespect to choose that lay their lives on the line and to chose who fought for our freedom. complete lack of respect come on how much would it cost for two of the biggest clubs in the world to have a small poppy embroided on their shirts for only one game.Disgracful!!
Burnley didn’t have one today I noticed.
Burnley wore theirs last weekend and I think birmingham did too. Liverpool claim they are putting a large poppy on the centre circl before the game.
Not sure if Forest wore one we did have a very well respected minute of silence however
total disrespect to the fallen,they shud be ashamed of themselves,
I am a liverpool fan. Shame on Liverpool. The poppy should be on the jersey and the field. Shame on ManU too. The military forces should be shown respect and support and should be told thank you.
Get it right, the article states ‘Remembrance Day commemorates the sacrifices made during WW2′. It’s to remember EVERY sacrifice made in EVERY war. From WW1 to today.
Shame on Liverpool and Man U. And anyone else who doesn’t see any point in wearing a poppy!
Please don’t condem me for this, but I’m Irish and couldn’t care wethter they have a poppy on they’re shirt. Also, if they don’t want a poppy on their shirts, it shouldn’t be on the United and Liverpool shirts as it would mean nothing as it would of been forced on them.
yous are the only nation on the planet to do this irish players can find it disrepectful so can some religions the way out of this would just let players who want to wear them wear them also how many of yous wear poppeys
I’m sorry but part of me still finds the sight of a poppy offensive. I lost friends and family when British Soldiers opened fire on innocent people in Derry on Bloody Sunday.
If the teams do not wish to carry the poppy on their shirt they shouldn’t have to. Guilting people who do not wish to wear a poppy into doing so is disgusting.
I’ve nothing against how the Irish feel about the poppy. But they are British clubs. Not Irish. If you find it disrespectful, go elswehere. This is a proud tradition dating back longer than any of us here.
But i do find it ridiculously hypocritical that there are Irish people who depise the British for what they did in NornIron but who still support British clubs. Make your mind up.
its a brave decision not wearing the poppy. and a victory for the game.
Brian, i see your point, but these are English clubs and as such you view is neither here nor there. You have Irish clubs to support. Derry City can run out with a balaclava and an Armalite over the shoulder for all I care.
Of course, some people from the Republic of Ireland may find it distasteful, particularly the WW2 aspect, as de Valera was a great fan of Hitler and famously the first to send condolences upon hearing of his death.
I’m sure there are still a few in the south who are upset to this day that the wrong side won.
With all due respect Jenni, NI is in Britain and as such we cannot ‘go elsewhere.’ Since when has forcing premiership clubs into embroidering poppies onto their shirts been a proud tradition? I cannot remember it having ever been done.
As for hypocrisy of supporting British clubs, the people of NI do not hold british people nor british football clubs at fault but understandably some (like myself who have lost innocent family and friends to the british army) would find it difficult to support the RBL. I find your comment very offensive. I’d love to see how long the EPL would survive without the support and money coming into it from outside of mainland Britain – most of your British top flight clubs are not even British owned nor managed anymore.
As a charity I wish them well but NO ONE should be forced to wear a poppy. No other charity gets this treatment. It should be an individual choice for the poppy wearer to make themselves.
Shame on united and Liverpool
well said brian…..
Its not good that Liverpool wont pin poppys on their shirts, I’ll be working in the Anfield club shop wearing my poppy with pride and just a shame that bigwigs within these clubs wont tell their playing staff to put them on, then again think about it, theyre both American owned clubs so when it comes to the anniversary of Pearl Harbour expect some mourning from them then
“Please wear a poppy,” the lady said
And held one forth, but I shook my head.
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old and lined with care;
But beneath the scars the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.
A boy came whistling down the street,
Bouncing along on care-free feet.
His smile was full of joy and fun,
“Lady,” said he, “may I have one?”
When she’s pinned in on he turned to say,
“Why do we wear a poppy today?”
The lady smiled in her wistful way
And answered, “This is Remembrance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for
The gallant men who died in war.
And because they did, you and I are free -
That’s why we wear a poppy, you see.
“I had a boy about your size,
With golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved to play and jump and shout,
Free as a bird he would race about.
As the years went by he learned and grew
and became a man – as you will, too.
“He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,
But he’d seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out and he went away.
I still remember his face that day
When he smiled at me and said, Goodbye,
I’ll be back soon, Mom, so please don’t cry.
“But the war went on and he had to stay,
And all I could do was wait and pray.
His letters told of the awful fight,
(I can see it still in my dreams at night),
With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,
And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.
“Till at last, at last, the war was won -
And that’s why we wear a poppy son.”
The small boy turned as if to go,
Then said, “Thanks, lady, I’m glad to know.
That sure did sound like an awful fight,
But your son – did he come back all right?”
A tear rolled down each faded check;
She shook her head, but didn’t speak.
I slunk away in a sort of shame,
And if you were me you’d have done the same;
For our thanks, in giving, if oft delayed,
Thought our freedom was bought – and thousands paid!
And so when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne,
By those who gave their very all
When asked to answer their country’s call
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy! Remember – and give”
Both Liverpool and Man Utd have a big following in Northern Ireland and a lot of their supporters here will find it very disrespectful that they chose not to wear the poppy on their shirts. The clubs should have asked their players if they would wear them, and put it on the shirts of the players who agreed. If the Irish players or any others who claim to be offended by the poppy chose not too that is their decision and must be respected. However it must be remembered that Irishmen of both traditions fought side by side in the wars and won all our freedoms. I am only glad my club Everton could rise above these two giants of the global game and wear their poppies with pride.
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.
If it’s the case that the red poppy doesn’t show up on their respective shirts having just MOTD. Fulham wore a red shirt with a poppy on it and it looked just fine.
Wot a joke… Arsenal wear a RED shirt and have a POPPY on it… as for brian from NI… wot about the many thousands killed and maimed in ireland by the IRA and other terrorists ? The British Para’s opened fire on Bloody Sunday because they had to or they would have been killed yes some innocent people died but not all were innocent..and how many innocent people have died thanks to the IRA ???, but maybe by the sound of it you would have preferred that to have happened… that has Nothing to do with the wearing of a Poppy, maybe a history lesson would help you out.
Anyone who has replied saying that United and Liverpool should be ashamed for not wearing poppies on their shirts is a moron! Charity is supposed to be voluntary, not forced on people. More to the point, United do more charity and goodwill work than any club in this country (Liverpool may do their share too for all I know, but I don’t know), what’s the betting that the majority of Premier League clubs do sod all charity work most of the year round and then try to take the moral high ground for sewing a poppy onto their shirt and claiming they care? It’s an empty, meaningless gesture and anyone who is genuinely stupid enough to think wearing a poppy is a more significant contribution than actual charity work needs their heads examined.
How very low can the two biggest clubs in Britain if not Europe go to.They should be totally ashamed. Well done to all the other football clubs who wore the poppy with pride in remembering our fallen heroes. Liverpool and Man Utd is this what having American ownership does to you?
This is such a stupid debate… making a big deal out of not following a voluntary gesture reeks of hollow self-righteousness. If it makes clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea or Burnley feel big and strong so be it. Maybe they just gave in to the media hype and decided to be on the right side of the fence than risk being criticized for not following the herd. Other clubs perhaps actually have a mind and agenda of their own! To criticize an individual (or a club) for not following a voluntary gesture is shallow and compulsive behavior of the highest order. If you want to wear your poppy with pride go ahead no one’s stopping you, to sneer at anyone who doesn’t follow the trend (no matter how noble the cause might be in YOUR opinion) shows intolerance and is in reality ARROGANT! So if this makes you feel your club is bigger than Manchester United and Liverpool… congrats… your club is finally BIG now! officially!
I oddly enough once supported Liverpool and now follow Manchester United because i worked there for a number of years, my intelligence tells me the American owners were scarred of reprisals from extremists and “bottled it”, says alot about are so called allies.
FFS. Bullying ppl./clubs in to wearing a Poppy, are their no other problems in the UK at the moment?
Some ppl seem to feel better when they can point a finger at others without useing a few brain cells first.
I would wear one as a sign of respect, but I also respect the right of another who doesn’t want to.
just to tell u that there is 2 marks and i didnt leave the last common
Brian NI is’nt in Britain, look at a British passport. But you certainly are’nt English LFC and MANUTD are. I’m not sure about popies on football shirts but what the Irish think is not a consideration Liam J.C says he does not care what make him think his opinion matters in Liverpool or Manchester
Mark, you should read a bit of history before making stupid comments about bloody sunday, you know nothing about it and should shut up!! It wasn’t an IRA march it was a civil rights march were protesters were murdered and then this was covered up by the British Army. Why do you think it has taken so long for the report to be published, by the way it is still pending!!
As for the poppy, is being forced to wear one the same as voluntarily wearing one?? No. Read the guardian which has a good article on poppy facism.
Some of you people make me sick to my stomach! you worthless drivalling scum with your pathetic comments about being forced to support the poppy appeal. My grandfather was Irish & he fought in Africa during WW2. You call yourselves men & you hide behind the freedom that these real men suffered & gave their lives for. The Royal British Legion is British in name only, they support all of the brave soldiers from as far afield as India & Nepal who answered the call when the world needed them. These men often didn’t have a choice in weather they went to war, but most would have gone if they did, why? because they had honour, the type of honour that your sickening cowards could never understand. If you think for even one second that you have a choice weather to support them then don’t, just slither away to your homes, the homes that sit under the freedom that they provided. As for Man U & LFC, where is the profit in it for them? That’s the question that we should be asking.
Alex, that is a very nice poem, it’s nice to see from many of the comments that there are still some decent people in this country.
Two clubs owned by Americans – surprise surprise
The poppy was originally an American idea!!
Disgusting,Why don’t Man U put the poppy on the crappy black sash on their shirt if they don’t think it will show. As for Liverpool just look at Arsenals shirt, the poppy shows up fine with the white outline. There is no excuse for this just plain arrogance.
shove youre poppy up your arse the british army are terrorists
tigerrrrrrrrr – you are a spineless ******.
I suppose you support the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, PIRA and anybody else that refuses to let people lead a democratic existence.
I bet its not only poppies you shove up your arse.
The Poppy is a sign of respect to everybody that is lost in conflicts. Not just the ones people find it funny to disrespect.
I respect the soldiers that fought in WW1 and WW2 however I do not respect these “Heroes” that are remembered from the illegal wars in Iraq,Ireland and any others. The poppy has been hijacked from it’s proper purpose of remembering the true heroes in order to remember terrorists for example in Ireland the killing of an honest teenager aidan mcanespie by british soldiers and It was not an accident because he was threatened on a number of ocassions
example no.2 90% of deaths in Iraq every year are innocent Iraqi civilians that the true terrorists have just gone in and thrown their weight around
so before you call me disrespectful how about you do a bit of research and learn how disrespectful your being by worshipping these terrorists as “heroes”