Here Is Why Matic Does Not Wear A Poppy On Manchester United Kit

Nov 2, 2020

by Chris

Update: Just as in previous years, Nemanja Matic was again not wearing a poppy on his kit in yesterday's match against Arsenal. The reason is that for him "it is only a reminder of an attack that I [Matic] 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." The NATO did not prevent some attacks in the Yugoslav war but pulled pack and "watched the tragedy".

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Matic Does Again Do Not Wear Poppy In 2020

2018 - Matic Explains Why He Did Not Wear A Poppy On Manchester United Kit

Some fans were surprised to see Nemanja Matic not wearing a poppy as Manchester United faced Bournemouth in the Premier League. However, while it first was unknown why he did not wear the poppy, the Serbian international now announced the reason for not wearing the poppy on his kit.

English Premier League teams are wearing a poppy on their shirt for Remembrance Sunday, a day to "commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts".

Nemanja Matic and McClean Resist To Wear Poppy

Following some questions why Matic didn't wear the poppy, the Serbian Thas given his reasons on social media for not wearing the symbol ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

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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.
Ein Beitrag geteilt von Nemanja Matic (@nemanjamatic) am Nov 5, 2018 um 4:46 PST

He said: "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."

Matic was not the only player who didn't wear the poppy on his shirt - Stoke City's James McClean also did not wear a Remembrance Day poppy on his shirt. The 29-year-old is a native of Derry, Northern Ireland, site of the 1972 Bloody Sunday tragedy in which 14 civilians were killed in clashes with the British Army.

McClean said in a statement issued by the club: "I know many people won't agree with my decision or even attempt to gain an understanding of why I don't wear a poppy. I accept that but I would ask people to be respectful of the choice I have made, just as I'm respectful of people who do choose to wear a poppy."