FIFA's great poppy climbdown was the talk of football on Wednesday night as the England team were given permission to honour war heroes against Spain on Saturday.

Following a Daily Mail  campaign, world football's governing body finally relented and players, including stand-in captain
Frank Lampard, will display printed poppies on their black armbands at Wembley.

Wearing the armband: A mock-up of how Lampard & Co will look on Saturday

Following a Daily Mail  campaign, world football's governing body finally relented and players, including stand-in captain Frank Lampard, will display printed poppies on their black armbands at Wembley.

But former England skipper Ray Wilkins said FIFA had not gone far enough.

'We should have a poppy on the shirt, never mind on an armband. If you're allowed to wear it on an armband, what's wrong with wearing it on the shirt? The game falls on the weekend when we honour those who have died and those who are still dying in conflicts around the world to protect our freedom.'

Lawrie McMenemy, a former guardsman and ex-England assistant manager, praised the Daily Mail for its campaign.

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