WORLD football chiefs are to punish Ireland for commemorating the Easter Rising in a friendly against Switzerland in March.

Governing body Fifa said that it had started disciplinary proceedings against the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) for the symbol on players’ shirts marking 100 years since the rebellion against British imperialism.

Fifa’s decision follows its orders to the English and Scottish associations not to wear poppies to remember war dead when they face each other in a World Cup qualifier on Armistice Day.

Fifa claims that the poppy breaks its rules outlawing any political, religious or commercial message on players’ kit.

Fifa said that they couldn’t comment on the proceedings against Ireland.

Both English and Scottish associations insist the poppy is a symbol of remembrance and respect and should not be regarded as political.

The Royal British Legion has called on Fifa to reconsider its position.

“The red poppy is a symbol of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. It has no political, religious or commercial meaning,” said director general Charles Byrne.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Fifa tried to have it both ways, saying it “fully respects the significance of commemorating Remembrance Day on November 11 each year.

“The laws of the game are overseen by the International Football Association Board [composed of the three British FAs, Northern Ireland’s FA and Fifa] and [are] applicable to all 211 member associations.

“The laws are applied uniformly in the event of similar requests by any member association to commemorate similar historic events.”

It’s not clear what sanction the FAI faces for commemorating the Rising, nor what the FA or SFA would face if players wore poppies next Friday.

A compromise deal was reached for an English friendly against Spain in November 2011 where Fifa let players wear the poppy, but the world governing body has changed significantly since.

Widely publicised dodgy dealing at Fifa may make officials less inclined to be seen to be bending the rules.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said that both the Scottish and English sides “are prepared to defend our position and we believe we need to do what is right and that is to respect those who have lost their lives and pay due respect on Armistice Day when we play England at Wembley.”