An 11-month investigation was launched after England appealed against their £35,000 fine for flaunting strict instructions not to display the emblems at the World Cup qualifier against Scotland on November 11 last year.
It culminated on Friday with the circulation, to FAs in all countries, of a drafted change to Laws of the Game which makes allowance for “commemorating a significant national or international event”.
A hastily-arranged conference call next month of IFAB members – the body governing changes to the Laws – is expected to ratify the change in time for a potential commemoration of those that lost their lives in the Great War, as is traditional for England games in November.
Law 4 governs players’ equipment and currently says: “Equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images.”
Last year the FA maintained that the Poppy – used since 1921 to commemorate military personnel who have died in war – did not fall into any of these categories.
The new wording now expressly forbids only certain slogans and images – those representing individual people, parties, governments, political acts, discriminatory organisations or groups who actions are likely to offend.
The move is seen as an important and much-needed victory for the FA and comes as they prepare to rubber-stamp a friendly against Germany on the Friday before Remembrance Sunday.
The fixture depends on both teams avoiding the World Cup play-offs, which will be achieved if England beat Slovenia on October 5, at the same time as Germany get at least a draw against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park.
While the new ruling stipulates that “the sensibilities of the opposing team including its supporters should be carefully considered”, the German FA, who in March signed a memorandum of understanding with their English counterparts, are said to be “relaxed” about the issue.
However, the FA are refusing to comment until the new Law has been fully ratified by FIFA.