Why Manchester United and Liverpool have earned the right to fight 'poppy fascism'
Manchester United and Liverpool have been put under pressure as two of only three Premier League clubs not to have poppies emblazoned on their shirts this Remembrance weekend.
A hectoring campaign from the poppy proponents seems to hint at some lack of patriotism or even near-treason from the North West giants.
There might be a far simpler reason for their reluctance. How visible would a red poppy be on their red shirts?
And I am not sure a compromise of a white poppy would go down at well with the PC brigade behind the campaign.
But the attempts to bully clubs into wearing poppies - Bolton are the other club not on the poppy list - are at odds with the battles to keep this a free country.
If football clubs or their supporters want to wear a poppy great, if they don't fine. It is called choice and it is a right men and women have fought to defend throughout our history.
This "poppy fascism" as veteran broadcaster Jon Snow memorably termed it should be resisted.
Column
United v Liverpool has always been spiky... but it used to be about football too
Brian Reade 20:59 10/02/12We should have sacked Capello two years ago Why Moyes is the right man for Spurs Those who think to... Read More+
Column
We should have sacked Capello two years ago
Brian Reade 20:58 10/02/12United v Liverpool has always been spiky... but it used to be about football too Why Moyes is the ri... Read More+
Column
Why Moyes is the right man for Spurs
Brian Reade 20:57 10/02/12United v Liverpool has always been spiky... but it used to be about football too We should have sac... Read More+
Blog
Watch video of Sami Khedira and Lena Gercke's steamy GQ photo shoot
Mirror Football Blog 15:52 10/02/12It's a tough life being a top footballer part 3,876: poor old Sami Khedira. Not only is he forced to... Read More+
Blog
3PM Extra: Joe Hart's fart, when mascots attack and Turkish team's bus collides with express train
Football Banter 15:38 10/02/12Presenting quality football videos from the interweb, daily at 3pm. Here's today's collection: 1) We... Read More+
Column
Why does snow and extreme weather bring out the best in football fans?
Ian Winwood 14:09 10/02/12A few years ago, on the weekend before Christmas I went with my mum to see Barnsley play at Queens P... Read More+
Blog
Simon Bird's Premier League previews and predictions (Week 25)
Mirror Football Blog 12:09 10/02/12'Arry'll put a smile on those poor England boys' faces. Yeah, 'Arry's a man manager. Arm round the s... Read More+
Blog
The Best XI Liverpool vs Manchester United games
Mirror Football Blog 11:25 10/02/12The MirrorFootball Best XI is our new feature celebrating the very best of the beautiful game. Each ... Read More+
Blog
Why do Rooney and co want Redknapp to succeed Capello? He'll make playing for England fun again
Mirror Football Blog 00:00 10/02/12Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand have already taken to Twitter to say Harry Redknapp is the man they’d... Read More+
Blog
Why having a Football Association chairman with balls gives England hope for the future
Mirror Football Blog 23:00 09/02/12For a man who just shot the sheriff, David Bernstein looked thoroughly unruffled. The FA chairman ... Read More+
Column
Redknapp will be a great England boss, but not before he leaves Spurs with a top, top parting gift
Robbie Savage 22:00 09/02/12You would have thought Harry Redknapp will find it difficult to keep his eye on the ball. Every time... Read More+
Blog
What are the odds England win a trophy under their next boss? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day
Betting Blog 22:00 09/02/12There is no doubt Harry Redknapp, hot favourite for the England job, has an amazingly consistent tra... Read More+
