ENGLAND and Scotland united in defiance of a potential FIFA ban to remember Britain’s fallen heroes.
Football’s governing body had said that the poppy is a political symbol and wearing it could result in a fine or even a points deduction.
But the teams emerged onto the Wembley pitch wearing black armbands with poppies on as they paid tribute to those who died serving the nation.
Stand-in manager Gareth Southgate, 46, also wore a poppy armband and another on his jacket. But FA chairman Greg Clarke, 49, was spotted without one.
FA Chief Executive Martin Glenn said on Friday: “I had hoped to resolve it quietly but these things never happen quietly. That forced us to be clear about our position, which is we are going to wear them. We think they are interpreting the rules wrongly.
“There are bigger things for FIFA to worry about.”
Before kick off, players from the two teams and 90,000 fans stood for an emotional minute's silence on a year that marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
Northern Ireland were also in action against Azerbaijan, but decided to wear just plain black armbands.
Wales have also opted for plain black armbands in Saturday's match against Serbia, with the FAW saying they are unwilling to risk sanction by FIFA.
This comes after FIFA belatedly opened disciplinary proceedings against Ireland, who wore shirts commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising back in March.
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