Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street to attend the weekly Prime Ministers' Questions session, in parliament in London, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Theresa May has condemned international soccer organization FIFA for its ban on players wearing the Britain’s remembrance poppy. She told Parliament on Wednesday that the FIFA decision was “utterly outrageous.” (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

UK PM Theresa May condemns soccer ban on remembrance poppy

LONDON – British Prime Minister Theresa May has condemned International soccer organization FIFA for its ban on players wearing Britain’s remembrance poppy, a symbol of the nation’s annual tribute to its war dead.

She told Parliament Wednesday that the FIFA decision was “utterly outrageous.”

England will play Scotland in a 2018 World Cup qualifier on Armistice Day, Nov. 11, and players had hoped to wear commemorative shirts with poppies on the armbands.

The artificial flower is worn by members of the public in the days leading up to Remembrance Day.

FIFA soon challenged this, saying teams may not display political, religious or commercial symbols on their uniform.

May argues that soccer players have a right to recognize and respect those who have died in war.

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