FIFA has rejected a request from Wales to sport remembrance poppies in Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Serbia.

The football world governing body prohibits players from wearing or displaying any political, religious or commercial messages.

Wales will wear black armbands instead, while fans at the Cardiff City Stadium will form a poppy mosaic before kickoff.

"The FAW (Football Association of Wales) naturally wishes to respect and honour those who fought and lost their lives fighting for their country," said Jonathan Ford, the chief executive of the FAW.

"We felt unable to take the risk of a financial penalty or point deduction. However, as we always have done at this time of year, we will be paying our respects in other ways."

England and Scotland, meanwhile, look set to defy FIFA's ban in their match on Friday by letting the players sport poppy armbands.