If you don’t know, the flower is to commemorate the fallen soldiers In WW1 and posterior wars that the uk took part in: “In the U.K., the Royal British Legion distributes around 45 million poppies each year, with members of the public making donations in exchange for the flowers that can be pinned on clothes or on wreaths laid at the graves of the war dead. These days, poppies commemorate not only those who died in WWI, but also in WWII and later conflicts.” according to Time Magazine. As an Argentinian, with all the history with the Malvinas war I don’t like that players like Julian Álvarez have to wear it. I can’t even imagine to people from countries that suffered for more time because of the British empire. I’ve heard that some Irish players refused to wear it but in my opinion non British players shouldn’t be encouraged to wear it. I find it ridiculous that players from countries that suffered because of the UK and where repressed by their army weat the symbol. what do you think?
I am a British fan, but I’m going to put my opinion on the table anyway.
Personally, I disagree with the Irish interpretation, and many of the others that are critical of the Poppy symbol, but what I feel that it represents is exactly the reason why requesting to not have a poppy on their shirt should be completely acceptable.
Whether that is because they hold the belief of many Irish as to what it represents, an Argentinian who mourns the loss of their servicemen in the Falklands, or something similar to Matic a few years ago… it’s a personal decision and part of the freedom that so many died to protect. It makes no sense to me that the Poppy is weaponized against people who use their freedom of expression to peacefully dissent from the mainstream expectation.
I don’t wear a poppy, because im not big into symbolism. I much prefer words, thoughts, and discussion.
That said, I’m not convinced that on a global platform you can openly suggest that the British have oppressed the Argentinians without challenge. The British have a lot of shame in our history, but really don’t think you can just tag on an entirely justified conflict and let is slide under the radar as simply accepted.