FIFA, which has recently been proved to be one of the most corrupt governing sports bodies in the world, has managed to outrage just about the whole population of Great Britain and several other nations around the world by refusing to allow the English national soccer team to honor its war veterans.

The outcry comes after FIFA has told England their players won’t be able to have poppies sewn into their shirts for their upcoming game against World and European Champions Spain at London’s Wembley Stadium on Nov. 12. The poppy is a symbol of honor and remembrance for all of those who fought and all those who died in the line of duty since the First World War.

In Britain and many Commonwealth countries Nov. 11 is known as Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, or Poppy Day. In America, a similar occasion is known as Veterans Day. World War I ended on the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month. In Britain, the second Sunday in November is also used to honor veterans and is known as Remembrance Sunday. Along with holding two minutes of silence on Remembrance Day, most Britons also attach a small red poppy to the left side of their clothing above the heart.

The English Football Association wanted to honor its veterans and educate younger fans about the day by wearing the poppy. However, FIFA told the association that it won’t allow any changes to the team’s official uniform. Numerous charities and war heroes condemned FIFA’s decision on Nov. 4 and reminded the soccer body that it wouldn’t be in existence if it wasn’t for the men and women who fought for freedom.

FIFA said it won’t allow any changes to the uniform as other countries would then want to do the same thing when commemorating special events. Many soccer fans see it nothing more than a childish act by FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who doesn’t like the fact that the English FA often questions the way his organization is run. Some Britons have said the team should defy the ruling and point out that many teams wear black arm bands when commemorating the deaths of certain people. They don’t understand why a poppy can’t be worn on an armband.

FIFA has no power over the English Premier League though and all 20 of its teams are wearing poppies on their sweaters until Remembrance Sunday. Last year the IRB, which is the governing body for world rugby, didn’t have a problem when both the English and Australian national teams honored their Armed Forces by having poppies sewn into their shirts during a game.

The Poppy Appeal started back in 1921 as a way to raise money to support the charity work done by the Royal British Legion and to pay respect to everybody who sacrificed themselves in the fight for freedom. The English team will wear uniforms with poppies on them in training sessions and will then auctioned them off for charity.

Millions of working-class soccer fans were celebrating in the United Kingdom on Oct, 4 as Europe’s highest court ruled against big broadcasting companies in an ongoing case against a pub owner. Last season, Karen Murphy, who owns the Red White and Blue pub in the city of Portsmouth on England’s south coast, was fined a total of 8,000 British pounds (US $12,400) for showing a live English Premier League (EPL) game in the pub.

Murphy was using a satellite decoder that she had bought in Greece since it cost her about a 10^th of the price it would have in Britain. The decoder was paid for legally and the Greek broadcasters had paid the Premier League fees to show the games. However, the EPL claimed the decoders were only supposed to be bought, sold and used in Greece.

This didn’t sit too well with Murphy though as she rightfully claimed that the Europe Union has a free market system in place between its 27 member nations. This means any item can be bought in Europe and taken home with the purchaser to be used. For instance, English residents are free to purchase cars, television sets, clothes and other items in any European Union nation and take them home. Murphy argued that the same logic should be used regarding television decoders.

The EPL have been paid rights fees from broadcasters all over Europe since it sells them on a country-to-country basis, which has now been ruled illegal. They’re not losing any money by people using cheaper decoders since the rights have been paid for, but of course, they’re looking for more money when it comes to British fans.

The European Court of Justice ruled that British fans have the right to purchase any decoders they like in Europe, and obviously they’re going to be looking for the cheapest they can get their hands on. The court also ruled that actual soccer games can’t be copyrighted, but the league’s and broadcaster’s logos, graphics, and music can be. This means pub owners will have to make sure they aren’t showing any copyrighted materials.

However, fans will now be able to buy cheaper decoders and watch games to their heart’s content at home. This could have a huge impact on the broadcasters and EPL as this is a major money maker for both of them. At the moment each club receives a minimum of 35 million pounds ($54 million) from TV rights. Each club makes close to half a million pounds ($774,000) every time they play a live game on TV. A club can be paid this amount a minimum of 24 times a season and a minimum of 10 times.

In addition, clubs are paid more money depending on where they finish in the league table, with the league winner earning 20 times the amount as the 20^th and last placed team in the league. This means Manchester United made well over $20 million last season for finishing first.

Sky Broadcasting Network paid for the rights to EPL games in Europe and they sell them off to other nations, as well as ESPN. They don’t allow live games to be shown in Britain at 3pm on Saturdays as a way to encourage fans to attend the games live. But other European nations are allowed to show these matches live.

The court cases won’t end here, but it’s a victory for those who are sick of the way professional soccer is operated with its obscene salaries and transfer costs. It’s unclear effect the ruling will have in future TV tights deals. The EPL may decide to sell off one big package all over Europe or it could neglect to sell rights to countries such as Greece. If this happens, it could even mean prices will go up instead of coming down.

But in the meanwhile, fans are sure to take advantage of any financial break they can get.

Generally speaking, most professional soccer players aren’t much more than diving, injury-faking, money-grubbing prima donnas. And this comes from a soccer fan. However, when they do happen to do something right, I guess they should receive as little credit for it, no matter what their motives.

The Blackburn Rovers of the English Premier League deserve some sort of pat on the back for cancelling a money-making trip to India due to concerns over their safety. Several members of the club didn’t feel it was wise to visit the country due to its recent violent history, including recent deadly bomb blasts in the city of Mumbai on July 13. India’s largest city also suffered deadly attacks in 2006 and 2008 when hundreds of people were killed.

Blackburn was scheduled to take 16 players to Mumbai for an exhibition game on their way to Hong Kong to participate in the Barclays Asia Trophy tournament. Though plans were scuttled though after the club posted a statement on its official website that said the trip to India was off due to the recent Mumbai terrorist attacks.

However, it also said the team might re-schedule the game once the risk appears to be lower and specific security measures can be put into place and enforced. Blackburn was supposed to reach Mumbai on July 21 and stay overnight at the Taj Mahal Palace, which was the site of the terrorist attack in 2008.

Their game was to be played in the city of Pune the following day against at the Shiv Chhatrapati Stadium. The team didn’t feel comfortable with staying overnight in Mumbai and plans were changed that saw them driving to Pune right after landing in India.

The Indian government and sports officials were happy with that, but team members weren’t. After discussing the matter with legal and security experts the club decided to pull out of the visit with a possible trip in the future. But with the season getting underway in mid-august, it’s unclear when the club would have time to visit India and if the players will want to.

Ironically, Blackburn is owned by an Indian company and they were to be the first ever English Premier side to play in the country. However, that part of the world just isn’t safe enough for top international sports clubs. In March of 2009, the Sri Lankan national cricket team’s bus was ambushed by 12 terrorists even though it was under police escort in Pakistan. Six team members were injured and eight people were killed.

In addition, the Togo national soccer team was also ambushed in January 2010 as it traveled through the African nation of Angola. The shootout lasted 30 minutes and resulted in three deaths with nine people wounded, including players.

It’s about time players in all sports started standing up for their rights by refusing trips to various parts of the world due to safety reasons or other concerns. It was recently reported that the Australian national cricket team is thinking about cancelling a tour to Sri Lanka after viewing a documentary which focused on atrocities that took place during the nation’s recent civil war.

Good on them. Making a few dollars isn’t worth putting  your skin on the line in nations which place no value on human life.