LONDON - England captain Wayne Rooney and Scotland counterpart Darren Fletcher led out teams sporting black armbands with red poppy motifs for Friday's World Cup qualifier, paying a commemorative war dead tribute at Wembley that leaves both nations at risk of FIFA sanctions. The two teams could face points deductions, potentially harming their chances of reaching the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but a fine is thought to be a more likely outcome. - 'Respectful' -Earlier on Friday, FIFA said it was a "distortion of the facts" to suggest they have banned poppy tributes. Wales manager Chris Coleman has backed the Football Association of Wales's decision not to equip his players with poppy armbands, although other tributes are planned. The England cricket team observed a poppy tribute with a minute's silence before Friday's play in the second Test against India in Rajkot.

Source: Bangkok Post November 11, 2016 20:49 UTC