FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Wales and Northern Ireland over the display of commemorative poppy symbols in their recent matches, the world governing body announced on Wednesday. Both countries' football associations opted against allowing their players to wear black armbands with poppy symbols, but they have been charged anyway. Both have vowed to contest the charges.
FIFA previously announced disciplinary proceedings against England and Scotland, whose players wore poppy armbands during their Armistice day World Cup qualifier at Wembley.
"The disciplinary committee decided to open proceedings against the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Wales in relation to several incidents involving the display of signs reported after the matches Northern Ireland-Azerbaijan and Wales-Serbia respectively," a FIFA spokesperson said.
People in Britain traditionally wear paper poppies or brooches in the days leading up to November 11, the day the Armistice was signed at the end of World War I in 1918, to remember the country's war dead.
Teams in the English Premier League wear poppy symbols on their shirts.
But FIFA's rule 4.4 forbids international teams from displaying political, religious or commercial symbols.