This weekend, we saw Premier League clubs support the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal ahead of Remembrance Day.To support the appeal, clubs embroidered a poppy on their shirts which will then be auctioned to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal 2020.However, you may have seen one player without a poppy on their shirt.Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic came on during his side’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday and clearly didn’t have a poppy on his shirt.Why?
Well, two years ago, the Serbian explained why he refuses to wear one - because it reminds him of when his village was bombed when he was 12.
The 1999 bombing was led to drive Serbs out of Kosovo and Matic has previously defended his decision on Instagram.
He wrote: “I recognise fully why people wear poppies, I totally respect everyone's right to do so and I have total sympathy for anyone who has lost loved ones due to conflict.
"However, for me it is only a reminder of an attack that I felt personally as a young, frightened 12-year old boy living in Vrelo, as my country was devastated by the bombing of Serbia in 1999.
"Whilst I have done so previously, on reflection I now don't feel it is right for me to wear the poppy on my shirt.
"I do not want to undermine the poppy as a symbol of pride within Britain or offend anyone, however, we are all a product of our own upbringing and this is a personal choice for the reasons outlined.
"I hope everyone understands my reasons now that I have explained them and I can concentrate on helping the team in the games that lie ahead."
You’ve got to respect Matic’s stance.
The British Legion's Poppy Appeal have always said that “It’s a matter of personal choice whether someone chooses to wear a poppy and how they choose to wear it.”
Previously, Irishman James McClean has been criticised for not wearing a poppy but it’s important we understand and appreciate everyone’s point of view.