ENGLAND and Scotland were backed yesterday by club managers over their decision to defy Fifa and wear poppies next Friday at Wembley.

The two nations clash on November 11 and Fifa chiefs have warned the Football Associations of England and Scotland that they risk punishment if they press ahead with Armistice Day tributes.

Both countries’ associations have announced they will don black armbands bearing the poppy symbol for the World Cup qualifier.

Fifa rules prevents players carrying any commercial, political or religious messages on their kit and Fifa secretary-general Fatma Samoura has indicated sanctions will be considered if the teams were to ignore those statutes — including possible points deductions.

But Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright believe that both countries should do what they want.

Wenger said: “I believe that, by wanting to be too politically correct, sometimes you go against tradition.”

“In this case, that is the part of English culture that I love. They respect tradition and they respect people who have given their life for their country.

“I think that Fifa should not get involved in that.”

Wright was a lot more damning of football’s world governing body, telling Fifa to “get a reality check.”

He said: “I think Fifa at times should get a reality check in what they do. To class a poppy as a political statement when it is remembrance about people who have died and people who have given their lives up for us to have the liberties and freedom we have.

“I certainly feel that they should be allowed to wear their poppy on their shirt. I don’t see why that would offend anybody.

“Fifa are basically a law unto themselves at times and I think they have missed a trick really. There probably wouldn’t be a Fifa if it wasn’t for all the sacrifices made down through history and not only in this country as well.

“I will certainly be wearing my poppy and I am pleased that the SFA and the English FA have made that stance.”

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee doubles up as Scotland’s assistant boss and will be by national team manager Gordon Strachan’s side when the teams go head to head next week.

And he finds it hard to believe anyone would be offended if the players were to kick off with the poppy symbols on their kits.

McGhee said: “I wear a poppy. I’m someone who has a great respect for the armed forces.

“I’ve not studied the intimate politics of (Fifa’s rules) so I don’t want to go that deep into it but my personal feeling is I’d like to wear a poppy.”