Disgrace

Wednesday, 09 November 2011 13:05

Written by Editor

This Friday is Remembrance Day and for the first time since its inception, all the 11s line up so it will be on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month and (for the first time), the eleventh year. Many venues have remembrance services every year, some with buglers playing the evocative Last Post beautifully. On page 17 you can find a feature on Remembrance Day with the Flanders Field poem.

I watched Sky News this morning and was absolutely flabbergasted (though quite why that should be in this day and age rather beats me!) to hear that FIFA, the football governing body, has told football players in the UK that they are not allowed to wear Remembrance Day poppies. Of course, playing any sport with a paper poppy with a pin in it would be daft, let alone dangerous, but these were transfers on the actual shirts themselves. FIFA?have declared them a “political statement” and therefor illegal under FIFA rules. I think the answer to FIFA on that score has to be a) they are not a political statement. They are saying that we are remembering those that gave up there lives for us, b) they are being worn on British soil so, unless it is detrimental to the game of football, it’s none of your business, and c) get a life FIFA and don’t be so stupid!

I am pleased to report that the turnout for the seminar on what to do if someone dies last Friday in Coin was phenominal and I hope that it helped the people there get more of an understanding of the systems here in Spain. I will run a few editorial pieces over the next few weeks, probably on the Community News pages, subject to space, so that those of you who couldn’t come last Friday will have a better idea.

Weight = down another pound. Teeth = still gleaming!