James McClean speaks on controversial Instagram post, which showed him sat in front of his children ‘teaching a history lesson’ whilst wearing a balaclava.
The Ireland international joked that he was giving them a history lesson, with many seeing that as a reference to the IRA.
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After getting slammed by users online, McClean ended up receiving a two-week fine by Stoke City and he’s agreed to delete his Instagram account.
The 30-year-old insisted to the sports channel that his post was meant to be light-hearted, yet he also admitted that it may be something he wishes he hadn’t done now.
“If I sat here and said I don’t regret things I’d be lying but I can take a lot of abuse and can’t have fun back?
“It was supposed to be light-hearted joke but I can understand why it didn’t go down well. People think I did a history lesson like that but I didn’t actually do it.”
“I’ve received things like ‘I hope your kids get coronavirus and die’ or ‘it would be a laugh if your house burned down with your kids inside’,” he said.
“There was someone online, who looked over 40, abusing my kids.
“Footballers are a free hit. It’s like it’s viewed as we earn this amount of money so we should just take it.”
McClean has flourished for the Potters ever since Michael O’Neill was appointed as the new boss in November, making their chances of staying in the Championship increasingly likely after the dismal job Nathan Jones ended up doing.
"It's ridiculous. You've got Matt Hancock saying we should take a pay cut. No one seems to like footballers."
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) April 5, 2020
The player also hit out at Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s claim that footballers should be helping the nation’s fight against coronavirus by taking a pay cut.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has called on Premier League footballers to donate a portion of their wages to struggling hospices, writes @DanielHewittITVhttps://t.co/9vbB2A1lcP pic.twitter.com/QbIjicHcb3
— ITV News (@itvnews) April 5, 2020
McClean recently answered an online plea for protective equipment to donate gloves, face masks, visors, gowns and hand sanitisers to the hospital in his home city of Derry and says this should be Ministers’ priority.
“I was going through Facebook and saw a post asking for help,” said the Republic of Ireland international.
“I just typed into Google to see what I could get and was fortunate to find equipment.
“It’s not going to solve all the problems, but hopefully it can tide them over. It begs the question if I’m able to go online, why can’t the authorities supply enough equipment?
“It’s ridiculous. You’ve got Matt Hancock saying we should take a pay cut. No-one seems to like footballers.
“We’ve got livelihoods too and people might take this the wrong way, but we do work hard for our money.
“Think about what players pay towards the Government in tax. Football is a short career and we’ve got to look after our families once it’s over. I’ve seen players do great deeds from their own pocket.”
Fans reacted as James McClean speaks on controversial Instagram post and slams Matt Hancock…
For donating PPE to the NHS?
— Adam Bailey (@ABailey_1993) April 5, 2020
Why? He was interviewed. About a charitable donation to the NHS. One that he did not publicise, he did it and moved on, and a doctor called it out. So why, when he's doing more that every other footballer or billionaire, should be not be asked his opinion?
— VamosTino (@Policianado) April 5, 2020
Wrong. He’s donated more to the NHS than the Royal Family too
— Joe (@JoeD_Nufc) April 5, 2020
While you have a point, most footballers give plenty to charity and fund things out of their own pockets.
And they pay tax in 1 week that most pay in 10 years.
— Field (@Fi3ld23) April 5, 2020
Ye all that charity work he does what an awful person he is ?
— Paddy Comerford (@PaddyC88) April 5, 2020
He’s right in a way… why don’t they ask Richard Branston, Bill Gates etc… for a pay cut
— benny boy (@LaTopChavy) April 5, 2020
99% of clowns here haven’t read the article
— Aidan McCarron (@aidan_mccarron) April 5, 2020
I think his point was it’s ridiculous to single out footballers when CEO’s, musicians, actors, bankers are also on big money and aren’t made to feel like they’re scum.
— Gary Mcfarlane (@GMac_Coach) April 5, 2020
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