POLL: Should footballers be allowed to wear poppies?

Repeating a precedent set in 2011, the decision would be a compromise on FIFA's usual ban on any commercial, political or religious messages on shirts.

England host Scotland at Wembley on November 11, Armistice Day, while Wales play Serbia in Cardiff the following evening.

The English, Scottish and Welsh Football Associations have asked FIFA if they would be punished for wearing poppies on armbands during their games, and Press Association Sport understands that all parties are keen to find a sensible solution.

England wore armbands with poppies on them when they played Spain on November 12, 2011. Scotland also did in Cyprus and Wales when they hosted Norway that same year.

A spokesperson for the Royal British Legion, the charity that organises the Poppy Appeal in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, said: "We see no reason why the poppy should be banned from players' shirts as it is not a political symbol.

"However, we understand a compromise will be found in armbands with the poppy on so that England players will enter the competition knowing they have shown respect for our armed forces.

"We are working closely with the FA to ensure the commitment and sacrifice of our Armed Forces is recognised during the Armistice Day match at Wembley."

A statement from the FA confirmed that it wanted to "honour and remember the sacrifices made by those serving in the armed forces" and said it had "led remembrance discussions with FIFA to allow the England team to show its support for the Poppy Appeal" during the eagerly-anticipated game against Scotland.

Poppyscotland produces poppies north of the border and Scotland's players, who will be wearing a pink away strip against England, are also eager to support its work for veterans.

A Scottish FA spokesperson told PA Sport: "We are in dialogue with our colleagues at the FA and with FIFA and are optimistic of an outcome that enables both teams and their respective fans to pay appropriate respect on Armistice Day."

A spokesperson for the FA of Wales gave a similar statement and added that the Welsh team would be observing the two-minute silence in training on Armistice Day and attending a war memorial on Remembrance Sunday, November 13.

Meanwhile West Brom and Ireland midfielder James McClean is once again refusing to wear a poppy on his shirt for Remembrance Day.

The 27-year-old consistently declined to wear the poppy at Sunderland and Wigan and was the only Baggies player not to have the flower on his jersey during the side's 4-0 loss against Man City on Saturday.

McClean, who has been heavily criticised for his stance, explained his decision in an official matchday programme.

"People say I am being disrespectful but don't ask why I choose not to wear it," the international player said.

"If the poppy was simply about World War One and Two victims alone, I'd wear it without a problem.

"I would wear it every day of the year if that was the thing but it doesn't, it stands for all the conflicts that Britain has been involved in.

"Because of the history where I come from in Derry, I cannot wear something that represents that."

For this year's poppy appeal, which was traditionally associated with First and Second World Wars, the Royal British Legion is asking the public "to rethink remembrance" so that servicemen and women from more recent conflicts are remembered.