STUART Pearce answered more questions on “poppies” than on his “players” during today’s jam-packed press conference at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
STUART Pearce answered more questions on “poppies” than on his “players” during today’s jam-packed press conference at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
The lunchtime media gathering was meant as a preview for tomorrow night’s Euro 2013 Under-21s Qualifier, between England and Iceland, to be hosted by Colchester United (7.30pm kick-off).
But there was just as much interest expressed in Fifa’s recent ban on England’s senior side wearing shirts embroidered with poppies, for Saturday’s international against Spain at Wembley.
Fifa, football’s governing body, have twice rejected the Football Association’s request to overturn the ban. Fifa insist shirts should not carry political, religious or commercial messages.
“It’s quite straightforward for me,” explained Pearce, during the press conference at Colchester.
“We asked the question. We would like to have done it (worn poppies), as an organisation and as a country, but the powers-that-be say they don’t want us to do it.
“For me, that’s the end of it.
“That won’t diminish what is in my heart, and it won’t diminish the respect for those who have given their lives for this country.
“Whether or not you have anything emblazoned on your shirt at the time, it’s what is in your heart that really matters,” added Pearce.
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