THE FOOTBALL Association of Wales (FAW) has been fined 20,000 Swiss francs (£15,692) by world governing body FIFA following last month’s poppy row.

The FAW decided on plain black armbands for players to mark Armistice Day during the World Cup qualifier against Serbia at the Cardiff City Stadium on November 12.

However, despite not featuring poppies on the players’ armbands, the FAW were still punished for displays of the poppy around the stadium, including the wearing of poppies by players.

The Irish Football Association was handed a fine of 15,000 Swiss francs (£11,769) for similar offences in Northern Ireland’s qualifier against Azerbaijan.

The English Football Association (FA) and Scottish Football Association (SFA) were also given fines of 45,000 Swiss francs (£35,308) and 20,000 Swiss francs (£15,692) respectively for poppy-related offences during their clash at Wembley on November 11.

England and Scotland players wore armbands displaying poppies during their World Cup qualifier, while a number of other Armistice Day tributes also took place prior to the match.

FIFA had warned the associations the displaying of political symbols could be punishable ahead of the games but the FA and SFA both went ahead with plans for players to wear poppies.

A statement from FIFA read: “England has been fined CHF 45,000 for several incidents in the framework of the England v Scotland match, including the display by the host association, the English team and spectators of a political symbol and several cases of spectator misconduct.

“Scotland, as the visiting association, has been fined CHF 20,000 for the display of the same political symbol and cases of misconduct committed by its own group of spectators.

“Wales has been fined CHF 20,000 and Northern Ireland CHF 15,000 in relation to several incidents, including the display of political symbols in the context of the Wales v Serbia and Northern Ireland v Azerbaijan matches.”