AT the start of this week, The Northern Echo called for the Fifa ban on England players wearing poppies on their shirts against Spain on Saturday to be overturned.

We were not alone. Support for the ban to be defied has grown throughout the week with Prince William displaying commendable leadership by writing to Fifa demanding that the ban is lifted.

Prince William's strong view is that the poppy is not a political, religious or commercial symbol, but a universal symbol of remembrance. I, as editor of The Northern Echo, share that view.

Having previously resisted the calls for a change of heart, Fifa has tonight shifted its position as far as agreeing that the England team can wear a poppy on their black armbands.

What utter nonsense. What is the difference? If our national team can display poppies on arm-bands why not on shirts which would raise significant sums of money for the Poppy Appeal?

Fifa has precious little credibility left and its position on the England poppy ban is now a complete farce.

The England team should proudly wear poppies on their shirts and let Fifa do their worst.