West Ham have clarified their stance on Remembrance Day poppies, following an internal email leak which suggested that they had banned them from club shirts ahead of their Premier League match against Burnley.
The yearly event is held on the second Sunday each November to mark the end of the First World War in 1918, with poppies worn to commemorate those who died. Premier League clubs first introduced the wearing of poppies on the weekend of Remembrance Sunday in 2012, with the majority of players doing so, bar a few exceptions such as James McClean.
Teams across the country are once again honouring this year’s event by wearing poppies, with the majority of players sporting them on their shirts from 23rd October until 11th November. Match-worn tops are then signed and auctioned, with proceeds going to the Royal British Legion.
But West Ham sparked outrage with their leaked internal email on social media. It read that while the club “deeply respect the significance” of the poppy and activities on a poignant day, they added that they “must be led by the club on all initiatives for various operational and safeguarding reasons.” It went on to say that they had decided not to wear them during fixtures this weekend.
Read the full leaked email below:
West Ham Will Wear Poppies Against Burnley
Premier League – West Ham United v Nottingham Forest – London Stadium, London, Britain – November 12, 2023 General view of poppies displayed on a big screen as players, match officials and military personnel observe a minute’s silence during remembrance day commemorations before the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
The leaked email sparked outrage among fans and political commentators online, including activist Tommy Robinson. The 42-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, criticised the club on X for celebrating Ramadan but not Remembrance Day.
West Ham fan Thomas Skinner then wrote on social media that the club had contacted him directly, stating that a new employee had written the email and had misrepresented the club, who had not banned the poppy. He wrote: “Every home fixture, including foundation and academy matches will hold a minute’s silence, and the first team will wear poppies on their shirts and lay wreaths before the game to honour the fallen. Nothing has changed from what they do every year.”
The club, in a preview for their match on Saturday afternoon, then clarified their stance on Remembrance Day activities, stating that they will continue to take part in various events this weekend. Aside from wearing shirts which featured the poppy and auctioning them to raise funds for charity, they will also have members of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal with bucket collections outside the stadium selling poppies.
A large poppy will also be placed in the centre-circle of the pitch during the warm-ups for the match, while members of the Armed Forces and representatives from Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, will provide a Guard of Honour in front of the Billy Bonds Stand and West Stand.
Blesma Veteran and West Ham fan Matty Woollard will also speak to supporters about the importance of Remembrance Day, while the Royal British Legion Band & Corps of Drums will then entertain supporters with war-time music. Additionally, wreaths will be laid by representatives of both clubs before kick-off, before the sounding of The Last Post and a minute’s silence.
