Wrexham star James McClean has confirmed he threw a punch at a Cardiff fan in self-defence before last week’s all-Wales encounter in the Carabao Cup.
The teams met for the first time in 21 years last Tuesday, when the League One side beat the high-profile Red Dragons 2-1 to earn a quarter-final against Chelsea.
Daily Mail Sport exclusively revealed on Tuesday that McClean swung at a Cardiff fan before the SToK Cae Ras clash.
The 36-year-old alleges he was confronted in the players’ car park by four Cardiff fans who ‘started running their mouths off’, with the winger saying he reacted after their second jibe.
‘Words were said,’ McClean told talkSPORT. ‘One of them, a tall chap with glasses, made a hostile move towards me… I’m in my workplace and I feel I should never feel threatened in that workplace.
‘So instead, I wasn’t waiting for him to make the first swing, so I did. Four men, one of me.
Wrexham star James McClean has confirmed he threw a punch at a Cardiff fan in self-defence
Wrexham players are allocated a specific compound to park their cars, pictured
‘People need to understand just because we play football doesn’t mean people can try and take liberties without their actions having consequences.
‘That was it. Nothing further happened. And the situation was dealt with.’
Daily Mail Sport understands the Cardiff fan involved in last week’s clash is not pursuing the incident further. North Wales Police are not investigating.
Wrexham said in a statement to PA: ‘Wrexham AFC are aware of an incident involving a first-team player and a visiting supporter ahead of our match against Cardiff City, which has been reported to the relevant authorities.
‘We will be making no further comment on the matter at this stage.’
Wrexham face Portsmouth at Fratton Park in the Championship on Wednesday evening.
