Parkinson frustrated with McClean banned over ‘incident’ in Wrexham’s defeat to Swansea

Phil Parkinson has been left frustrated with James McClean banned over an ‘incident’ in Wrexham’s defeat to Swansea.

McClean has been suspended for three matches after admitting to a violent conduct charge from an off-the-ball incident in the 94th minute.

Video footage soon emerged and done the rounds on social media, it showed McClean appearing to kick out/flick his boot at Swansea’s Ronald while he was on the ground.

The incident was missed by officials but reviewed by the FA, and he will now miss games against Sheffield United, Preston, and Blackburn.

Manager Phil Parkinson said that it was “not ideal” with it being another blow to his side, already dealing with numerous injury issues.

James McClean will be suspended for three matches, following an incident in the game against Swansea City.

🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC

— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) December 23, 2025

FA STATEMENT:

Regulation and Discipline Update: James McClean has been suspended for three matches following the EFL Championship game between Swansea City AFC and Wrexham AFC on Friday 19 December.

The player’s behaviour around the 94th minute wasn’t seen by the match officials at the time, but it was caught on video, and The FA alleged that it constitutes violent conduct.

James McClean subsequently admitted the charge against him and accepted the standard penalty for violent conduct.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Wrexham AFC can confirm James McClean will be suspended for three matches, following an incident in the match against Swansea City on Friday (December 19).

Though referee Oliver Langford took no action at the time, McClean was charged following review of the match video, for misconduct for a breach of rule E1.1:

Incident on the field of play, which falls within law 12, which was not seen by match officials, but was caught on video.

McClean will now be unavailable for selection for our matches against Sheffield United, Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers.

Absolute howler from Okonkwo sees Swansea come from behind to beat Wrexham

Phil Parkinson said, per Wrexham Leader: “The charge came through on Monday,” said the Wrexham boss.

“Obviously it’s not ideal. We’d rather it hadn’t happened but it has and we will deal with it as a group.

“Issa [Kabore] is away with Burkina Faso.

“Obviously he is not fit yet but they have got the right to call him over there and if they progress through the tournament, see where he is then but we are in regular contact with him.

“Libby [Cacace] has been on the grass and joined in some of the training this week.

“He is making good progress but he has been out for a significant amount of time now.

“Lewis [O’Brien] has seen the specialist and the good news is it is not as serious as we first thought,” said Parkinson.

“It is a partial dislocation but it’s still a very painful injury for him and we are just monitoring him on a daily basis.

“It is difficult to put a timescale on it.”

Here’s how fans reacted with Phil Parkinson frustrated as James McClean gets banned over an ‘incident’ in Wrexham’s defeat to Swansea…

@RK13_4: Horrid incident lucky to only be 3 games, I’m sure it embarrassed most connected to the club but not his first similar incident and given moments later he went to do a player with the elbow can already say it’s not his last.

@IanParfitt: He’s lucky it’s only three games…. very dangerous play with intent!

@wxm_afc: Good, I’ve stuck up him a few times but that was ridiculous. I don’t give a f**k about Swansea cheating as that’s gone now and we will never get any benefit from them getting suspensions. But absolutely no need I hope we fine him too.

@_Deez_Games: “Incident,” also known as deliberately stamping on someone because you’re a thug who shouldn’t be allowed in the game

@jordanread72: Good, he shouldn’t be doing shit like that, I love Macca but kicking someone in the head on purpose is wrong on all levels

@ShaunAhabCarr87: Deserved, shouldn’t have done it. Need level headed players on the field

@merritt84: Fully deserved, don’t see how anyone can complain with that incident.

@wxmsmith: It’s time he went. He’s been a great player for us, but he just brings too much baggage. Not sure why he’s the captain with behaviour like that.

@lancs_rob: He stamped on someone’s head on purpose. Missed that bit out did you ?

@dezroberts1: Good. Fully deserved. Love him but that was stupidity what he did, wasn’t any need at all

@stevecollins88: Deliberately stamps on a players face, gets 5 games less of a ban than Clarke!? @fa @efl @FAspokesperson you’re an absolute joke. Make it make sense! #stfc @Official_STFC

@Aidan1864: The hard man shite is boring. Hopefully he can focus on no longer getting spun by every opposition winger he comes up against now.

@fearlessidzine: The expected comments to this…..🥱 He was always going to get retrospective punishment for that, the camera doesn’t lie. Daft. However, no on-pitch red cards in over 100 appearances for Wrexham would suggest his disciplinary record and temperament isn’t too shabby.

@Ryan_22_11: Love some of the comments on this, comparing Gally’s tackle to his stamp 😂 It was a bad tackle, lucky to not be red. But in what world is it worse/level to a DELIBERATE stamp on the head?? There’s a reason he’s been banned, accept it and grow a pair 😂

@harrysandman_: Excellent to see. Disgraceful what he did and nice to see them going back and handing out a hefty punishment for it