A video has emerged of Middlesbrough fans venting out their anger towards Stoke City’s James McClean after the goalless draw yesterday.
The player and the club spoke in a club statement recently stating that McClean wouldn’t be wearing a shirt with the poppy on it because he is from Derry, the place where British soldiers shot unarmed civilians during a peaceful protest march in 1972.
McClean stepped onto the pitch on Saturday and stuck to his word and wore a shirt with no poppy on it leading to some Middlesbrough fans hurling abuse at the midfielder, who also done the same at Sunderland, Wigan Athletic and West Bromwich Albion.
Watch the video which has gone viral below…
Just look at the intolerance and hatred on display all because James McClean refuses to wear a poppy. pic.twitter.com/SP8THxKWh8
— Crimes of Britain (@crimesofbrits) November 3, 2018
After the game McClean had his say on what happened, he said on Instagram: “They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn’t want to be broken.” Your abuse, your throwing things, your booing, do your worst.. to the home fans that are actually educated and support me, thank yous.. to the section of uneducated cavemen in left hand corner of the boothen end stand that want to song their anti irish song each game and call me a fenian this and that.. i am a PROUD FENIAN no c@#t will ever change that, so sing away”.
THE RECENT CLUB STATEMENT
James McClean said: “I know many people won’t agree with my decision or even attempt to gain an understanding of why I don’t wear a poppy.
“I accept that but I would ask people to be respectful of the choice I have made, just as I’m respectful of people who do choose to wear a poppy.”
Stoke went on to say: “As a Club we will be supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal by wearing the Poppy on our home shirt in the fixture against Middlesbrough on November 3rd and on our away shirt in the fixture against Nottingham Forest on November 10th. The Club is proud of its close connections with the Armed Forces and have also invited members of the Armed Forces to join our remembrance at the Middlesbrough fixture.
“However, we recognise that the Poppy means different things to different individuals and communities and (like the Royal British Legion) do not believe that anybody should be forced or even pressured to wear the Poppy against their free will. James has informed us that he will not be wearing a Remembrance Day Poppy in our next two games. We respect his decision and his right to follow his own convictions.”
Since the video emerged, fans took to Twitter to give their reaction, some were in support of the player, others not so, take a look at what they’re saying on the next page.
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