EFL writes letter to all member clubs to tell them of special dispensation for James McClean

According to the Daily Mail, the EFL writes a letter to all of its member clubs to tell them of special dispensation for James McClean.

The English Football League have reportedly put a measure in place which allows McClean to leave the pitch via the quickest route to the tunnel at the end of matches, due to concerns over his safety from abusive and sectarian behaviour from fans.

This decision was made after incidents where McClean was targeted with a number of objects thrown at him and abusive chants, reflecting the league’s commitment to player safety and the handling of discrimination issues within football stadiums.

Leaked letter gives Wrexham’s Irish poppy protester James McClean special permission to bypass football’s rules about where players can leave the pitch to escape from abusive fans https://t.co/RXVEwGsVXM

— Mail Sport (@MailSport) November 19, 2024

This move sets a precedent that could be applied to other players if safety issues arise, highlighting the EFL’s responsiveness to such matters.

Since the 2019-20 season, footballers who are subbed off have been made to leave the pitch via the nearest touchline or goal line in order to speed up the match and cut down time wasting. However, McClean will now be exempt from this.

In a leaked letter to club safety officers, seen by Mail Sport, the EFL wrote: ‘You will be aware that James McClean is often on the receiving end of abuse from some sections of support.

‘This has, in the past, resulted in FA sanctions against the Club due to the chanting becoming racially, or religiously motivated and therefore, classed as a hate crime. Missiles have also been thrown.

‘It has now been agreed that on occasions in the future when Mr McClean has to leave the field of play, for whatever reason, he will leave by the shortest route towards the tunnel. This process will help to reduce these incidents and also help to manage Mr McClean’s departure from the pitch without incident.’

On the 10th of November 2024, James McClean also issued a post via Instagram: “I have addressed this matter many times, not that I should have to, but explaining it now on social media out of respect for work colleagues, team mates past and present, fans who have supported me (Wigan, Wrexham esp) for them to have a full understanding.

“The poppy represents for me an entire different meaning to what it does for others, am I offended by someone wearing a poppy? No absolutely not, what does offend me tho, is having the poppy try be forced upon me.

“The poppy which originally stood for world war 1 and 2 has now been adopted into honouring and remembering British soldiers that have served in all conflicts throughout the world including those who opened fire and murdered 14 innocent civilians on bloody Sunday Jan 1972, in my home city, as well many other brutal crimes throughout Ireland

“That is why i never have and never will wear a poppy. If the poppy’s sole purpose was to honour world war 1 and 2 then i would have no issue wearing it, but thats not the case.

“I respect those who do as I am fully aware we have different beliefs and upbringings, i would never force my beliefs on others, I’m not naive or stupid enough to expect the matter to be reciprocated, especially as the poppy is forced now on everyone in the UK and god forbid someone doesn’t wear it, the abuse they have to endure. The irony of all of this is that the poppy originally stood to honour those who fought for the right of freedom in both world wars.

“Some people no matter what will not educate themselves or want to educate themselves, so to those who throw abuse about, (matters they know nothing about) with insults like “hates our country” well I don’t, some of my best relationships I’ve made through the years are with people born and raised in England and have completely different beliefs to me.

““Happy to work and live in the uk but take the kings shilling, send him back to his home town to work then“ well the sad matter of fact is if i did i would still getting paid in the “kings shillings” unfortunately which part of the whole problem to begin with.

“One thing I never have and never will do, is bend the knee to compromise my convictions ”

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In 2021, Wigan had written to other League One clubs warning that the Football Association will charge them if their player James McClean was subjected to sectarian abuse from supporters.

According to a report in The Guardian, the letter advised EFL clubs to “consider putting plans in place to respond to any inappropriate or unlawful chanting”.

“I am raising these matters with you to ensure you are fully sighted on the circumstances and to avoid your club being charged with contravening rule E20 by the FA,” Wigan’s letter continued to say.

“If there were any issues during the game, it would also be helpful if you spoke to James to advise him of the action taken.”

Several clubs have already been fined for sectarian abuse aimed at McClean over the years, there has also been matches paused temporarily.

McClean has regularly condemned this abuse and often criticised the lack of support offered to him, but in recent times, the Derry-born player has been backed by anti-discrimination group Kick it Out, the Football Association of Ireland and the Professional Footballers’ Association among others.

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