Nemanja Matic didn't wear a poppy vs Spurs on Saturday, continuing to do so out of personal choice.
The Serbian midfielder was a second half substitute for Manchester United in their much-needed 3-0 away win in North London and laid on an assist for Marcus Rashford's goal.
Matic entered the fray with around 15 minutes remaining and unlike, the rest of the players involved in the game, did not have a poppy sowed into his shirt.
For a number of years now, Premier League players have worn poppies near to and on Remembrance Sunday in the month of November in addition to observing a minute's silence before games.
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Matic did initially but decided to stop doing so a few years back - his reason being because of a bombing which occurred in the village he lived in when he was 12 years old in his native Serbia.
"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," Matic explained in a statement.
"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.
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"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."
The Royal British Legion have previously said that the decision to wear a poppy is a matter of personal choice.
Featured Image Credit: Image: PA & Sky SportsTopics:Β Nemanja Matic, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United
