Fifa says it has not banned the display of poppies by England and Scotland footballers, insisting any such claim is a “distortion of the facts”.
Both countries asked to wear black armbands bearing a poppy in Friday’s World Cup qualifier on Armistice Day.
Rules forbid “political” statements on shirts and Fifa says it does not have the power to grant such requests.
However, former player Danny Mills says the English FA has “picked the wrong fight” over the issue.
Northern Ireland – who host Azerbaijan in Belfast on Friday – will wear plain black armbands, as will Wales when they play Serbia on Saturday.
Fifa says it has reminded the four football associations of the rules – though the Football Association of Wales said Fifa “turned down a request for the Wales national team to wear poppies on their shirts or on armbands”.
The FAW said it could not risk a financial penalty or point deduction and fans at Cardiff City Stadium will form a poppy mosaic before kick-off.
Northern Ireland’s game will see a card motif featuring a poppy displayed in the West Stand along with other Armistice Day tributes.
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