A video has gone viral over the weekend appearing to show a some Queens Park Rangers supporters verbally abusing Stoke City’s James McClean.
It was all because McClean, who comes from Northern Ireland, doesn’t wear the poppy for political reasons as many know with following the continued attacks from fans at the player in past matches.
The last confrontation came four months again at Stoke by Middlesbrough fans. McClean stepped onto the pitch and wore a shirt with no poppy on it leading to some Boro supporters hurling abuse at the midfielder, who also done the same at Sunderland, Wigan Athletic and West Bromwich Albion.
After the game, back in November, 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”.
McClean again received abuse near the touchline during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with QPR, voices were heard shouting “Where is your poppy?” along with appalling names.
The Irishman simply stood and stared at the fans showing he wasn’t intimidated although it’s reported elsewhere that he showed his ‘Free Derry’ tattoo.
The issue of the poppy is clearly highly sensitive. However the QPR fans used the subject as a tool to abuse McClean.
Watch the disgraceful scenes played out in the video – not the original as that ended up being deleted – below…
James McClean being abused by QPR fans today. 'They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken.' @JamesMcC_14 #coybig ???????? pic.twitter.com/4nkpkWKeZX
— One Team In Ireland (@1TeaminIreland) 9 March 2019
Sinn Fein West Belfast MP Paul Maskey called for the FA to take action against fans who target McClean.
He said: “Disgraceful scenes again today as James McClean came under a bombardment of anti-Irish racism, this time from QPR fans,” he said.
“When will the English FA call (it a) day on this type of behaviour and hold those responsible to account?
“These scenes on an almost weekly basis are absolutely intolerable.”
After watching the video of the QPR fans hurling abuse at Stoke’s James McClean on Saturday, social media users took to give their reaction, with the majority in defence towards the Irish player – check out what they had to say on the next page.
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