<P> Northern Irish - born footballer James McClean, who has played for a number of English teams, has received death threats and abuse since 2012 for refusing to wear a poppy on his shirt during matches . McClean said he does not wear one because the Poppy Appeal supports British soldiers who served in Northern Ireland, and believes it would disrespect those killed in his hometown on Bloody Sunday . </P> <P> In November 2011, it was proposed that the England football team should wear poppies on their shirts in a match against Spain . However, FIFA turned down the proposal, saying it would "open the door to similar initiatives" across the world, "jeopardising the neutrality of football". FIFA's decision was attacked by Prince William and Prime Minister David Cameron, who said he would back any player who ignored the ban . Members of the English Defence League (EDL) held a protest on the roof of FIFA's headquarters in Zürich . Instead, The Football Association came up with other ways to mark Remembrance Day; for example, the England players would wear poppies before kickoff and black armbands during the match, there would be a minute's silence, a poppy wreath would be set on the pitch during the national anthems, poppies would be sold in the stadium and would be shown on the scoreboards and advertising boards . FIFA subsequently allowed the English, Scottish and Welsh teams to wear poppies on black armbands . </P> <P> During the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, the England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland football teams were fined for displaying the poppy during matches . FIFA rules forbid the display of "political or religious symbols". The decision was strongly criticised by Prime Minister Theresa May, and the Welsh and English football associations appealed against the fine, with the English Football Association threatening to bring the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport . </P>

Who made the first cloth poppies and why