Soccer

Wales' Joe Ledley expects Welsh FA to make correct call on remembrance acts

Wales' Joe Allen during a press conference at the Vale Resort, Hensol 
Wales' Joe Allen during a press conference at the Vale Resort, Hensol 

JOE Ledley says Chris Coleman's squad expect the Football Association of Wales to make the correct call over acts of remembrance at the World Cup qualifier with Serbia.

The English and Scottish Football Associations will defy FIFA when England and Scotland players wear poppies on black armbands during Friday's World Cup qualifier.

FIFA agreed to allow England, Wales and Scotland's teams to wear poppies on black armbands during the Remembrance weekend in 2011 after pressure from the UK government.

But it goes against a FIFA directive, which prohibits political, religious or commercial messages on shirts, and the governing body has warned both associations that they could face sanctions.

The FAW has yet to state what form their acts of remembrance will take at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, and they could follow Northern Ireland's lead of wearing plain black armbands and also mark Armistice weekend in other ways.

But, on Wednesday, the FAW's shirt retailers JD Sports put a new Wales football shirt with a poppy on the front on sale for £55.

"Pay tribute to those who gave their lives for the country with this men's FA Wales Home 2016/17 Poppy Shirt from Adidas," is the description that comes with the shirt.

The players, however, might not get the opportunity to wear the poppy shirt against Serbia, with Crystal Palace midfielder Ledley admitting that they will abide by the FAW's decision over the issue.

"It's out of our hands as players and will be dealt with by the FAW," Ledley said.

"It's down to them to make a decision and we'll support whatever decision they make.

"Our job is just to concentrate on the game and I'm sure the FAW will make the right decision."

The Wales squad have previously paid their respects on Armistice weekend by visiting the Artillery Wood Cemetery near Ypres when they played in Belgium two years ago.

Manager Coleman also laid a wreath at the Welsh war memorial at Langemark.

On the pitch, Wales renew acquaintances with Serbia opponents who beat them 6-1 and 3-0 during the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Those games were the real low points of Coleman's five-year reign, but Wales recovered from those heavy defeats to make the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in France last summer.

"We know they're a great team, we've played them a few times and lost before," Ledley said.

"But we've moved on from those results, we've proven how well we've adapted from those defeats.

"We had a fantastic time in the Euros and [have] shown how far we've come.

"If we carry on doing what we're doing then hopefully the results will come."

Wales are unbeaten in World Cup qualifying following their opening win over Moldova and back-to-back October draws against Austria and Georgia.

But Serbia have stolen a march at the top of Group D with their 3-2 victory over Austria last month taking them two points clear of Wales.

"We can't afford to let them get away from us any further," Ledley said.

"They are doing well in the competition at the moment and we're still undefeated, so we need to be on the front foot.

"The Euros are over now and our concentration is on the World Cup.

"That's what we've got to aim for, it is down to us to get a result."