Nemanja Matic explained why he didn't wear the poppy flower on his shirt in the game against Bournemouth

As it has been previously reported, during the Bournemouth vs Manchester United game, fans noticed that the flower called "Poppy" was missing from Matic’s jersey. The flower is the symbol for remembrance and commemoration of the soldiers who gave their lives in First World War. The player wrote a post on Instagram explaining why he refuses to wear that symbol.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

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.

A post shared by Nemanja Matic (@nemanjamatic) on Nov 5, 2018 at 4:46am PST

Grosjean accepts some of his penalty points are deserved