With the calendars having now tipped into November, English football has officially entered ‘poppy season’.
The remembrance poppy has become an increasingly integral part of the English game each November. Not only do clubs sport the poppy on their kits, but they also hold ceremonies before kick-off as they approach Remembrance Day.
Of course, this has also led to some issues for certain players. James McClean is the prime example, with his refusal to wear the poppy leading to a huge amount of scrutiny down through the years.
McClean is not the only player to have such a stance, with a number of other footballers opting out of the practice in recent seasons.
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Katie McCabe Praised For Poppy Stance In Arsenal’s Win Over Leicester City
Arsenal took on Leicester City in the Women’s Superleague this afternoon, with Renee Slegers’ side recording a routine 4-1 victory.
Katie McCabe would play a starring role in the victory during her 58 minutes on the pitch, although it was a small difference with her matchday kit in comparison to her teammates that caught the eye for many.
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With the other Arsenal players sporting the poppy on their kit, McCabe seemingly opted out of the tradition. Her jersey did not have the symbol emblazoned on it for this fixture.
Katie McCabe, alongside other Ireland WNT players, did not wear a poppy this weekend
🇮🇪💚 pic.twitter.com/Qdg3MA0F5P
— IrishPropaganda🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) November 2, 2025
Quite a few football fans would praise Katie McCabe for what they felt was a significant gesture.
Katie McCabe without the poppy today- hope other Irish women follow suit! Brave but a needed stance with everything that’s gone on recently.
— Travel (@Travel123418111) November 2, 2025
Katie McCabe and Caitlin Hayes 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪💚💚💚 very very proud of you both for the shirt choice today. So many British fans don’t get it because you aren’t taught it. Think why you aren’t taught it… Could not love our girls in green more. Nothing better than being Irish
— SlideCity (@slidecityfc) November 2, 2025
McCabe isn’t wearing a poppy 🇮🇪❤️🤍❤️
— aine (@oranwhisperer) November 2, 2025
Great to see our Irish WSL mná not wearing the colonial poppy on their jerseys! Ní neart go chur le chéile and the right thing to do after the disgraceful David Cleary aka Soldier F trial 💚
— Katie McCabe PR (@KatieMcCabePR) November 2, 2025
katie mccabe i have so much respect for youuu👏🏼 my captain.
— lucy (@mccabexlucy) November 2, 2025
Fellow Ireland international Caitlin Hayes also opted against wearing the poppy as she played in Brighton’s game against Manchester United.
While every player is entitled to make their own decision on this matter, it is refreshing to see that Katie McCabe felt comfortable to go against the grain on this occasion.
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