Four England players were not wearing the poppy armbands during the first half of the friendly game against current World champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday.
Throughout the first half James Milner, Scott Parker, Phil Jones and Captain Frank Lampard failed to wear the poppy armbands.
Before the game the FA issued a statement: "The FA would like to clarify that the organisation and England players at all levels will be showing their respect and marking Remembrance Day in a number of ways:
The England players will wear black armbands during the Spain game on Saturday. These armbands will have poppies on them."
Phil Jones told The Sun newspaper on Friday: "We are wearing poppies on our armbands to pay respect to those who have lost their lives. It is just a massive honour and 100 per cent that puts my job into perspective. When you think of those who lost their lives for our country, playing football doesn't come into that category."
Goal scorer and Captain Frank Lampard added: "wearing the poppies was a chance to pay tribute to real heroes - a team that does something far more important than play football, a team that risks everything to protect lives at home and abroad."
They were able to wear the mark of remembrance after an outcry forced FIFA soccer bosses to backtrack on their decision to ban the poppy from players shirts. FIFA agreed the players could wear it on armbands after protests, including pressure from the Prime Minister David Cameron.
Reports are that the poppy armbands "fell off" during early play due to a "wardrobe malfunction". Apparently a "fault" with the Velcro attachment was to blame.
Could it not be that the players concerned did not put them on properly?
During the many games over the years when players have worn black armbands I cannot recall a single case of an armband "falling off" during play. Indeed, Lampard's captain's armband managed to stay in place throughout the match whilst his poppy armband apparently fell off early in the first half.
In any event, one of the many England staff should have arranged for replacement armbands to be handed to these players during stoppages in the first half. Failing that, could not the players themselves have simply picked them up and put them back on when the ball went out of play.
Finally, when Scott Parker was substituted late in the second half, he removed his black poppy armband even before he had left the pitch.
Perhaps these four players should donate a week's wages to the Royal British Legion and surely FIFA could make a six-figure donation after instigating all this controversy.
