Arsenal star among series of players to DITCH poppy for weekend fixtures

James Saunders

By James Saunders


Published: 04/11/2025

- 00:52

The Gunners stalwart chose not to wear the symbol during Sunday's dedicated Remembrance matchday

An Arsenal star was among a series of players who elected not to wear a poppy over last weekend's games.

Arsenal Women left-back and Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe chose not to wear the symbol - despite Sunday's match having been chosen as the dedicated Remembrance fixture.


The red flowers are worn across both the Women's Super League and the men's Premier League.

Clubs traditionally stitch poppies into their shirts, before auctioning them off in support of the Royal British Legion.

But McCabe, 30, joined a selection of her countrywomen in refusing to don the poppy.

Brighton's Caitlin Hayes, Crystal Palace's Abbie Larkin and London City Lionesses' Hayley Nolan all went without the memorial.

McCabe has worn a poppy in the past, but is reported to have taken a personal choice not to do so this season.

However, she did partake in Arsenal's Remembrance silence before kick-off against Leicester.

Declan Rice and Katie McCabe

Arsenal Women left-back and Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe chose not to wear the symbol

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She is set to do so again when Chelsea visit the Emirates on Sunday.

Fellow Republic of Ireland stalwart James McClean has long stood firm against wearing the symbol of Remembrance.

Londonderry-born McClean, 36, finally set the record straight on his stance last year.

"The poppy represents for me an entirely different meaning to what it does for others," he revealed.

Arsenal's Katie McCabe plays against Leicester City

PICTURED: Arsenal's Katie McCabe plays against Leicester City - without a poppy

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Chloe Kelly

PICTURED: Arsenal and Lionesses heroine Chloe Kelly looks up from the corner flag at the King Power - wearing a poppy

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GETTY

"Am I offended by someone wearing a poppy? No absolutely not.

"What does offend me though is having the poppy [to be] forced upon me.

"The poppy which originally stood for World War I and II has now been adopted into honouring and remembering British soldiers that have served in all conflicts throughout the world, including those who opened fire and murdered 14 innocent civilians on Bloody Sunday Jan 1972, in my home city, as well many other brutal crimes throughout Ireland.

"That is why I never have and never will wear a poppy.

"If the poppy's sole purpose was to honour World War I and II, then I would have no issue wearing it, but that's not the case."

Seamus, the Irish Guards mascotPICTURED: Seamus, the Irish Guards mascot during the 2024 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal at Victoria Station | PA

Just days ago, the Royal British Legion launched its annual Poppy Appeal in aid of Britain's veterans.

The RBL will doubtless be looking to surpass its 2024 fundraising total of £51.4million, itself £1.1million more than the previous year.

Some 30 million poppies were purchased last year, as well as more than 12,500 wreaths.