Wrexham star James McClean has hit out at fans with ‘three teeth and three brain cells’ after suffering abuse for refusing to wear a poppy.
He was abused for turning up without a poppy and sitting down on the bench while others stood up during the Remembrance Day tribute at Wrexham’s 1-0 win over Charlton on Saturday.
McClean, 36, was born in Londonderry and refuses to wear the red flower because he believes it commemorates all British military activity, not just the soldier of the World Wars.
His hometown, known to Republicans as Derry, was the scene for the infamous 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, in which British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march, with 14 killed.
Responding to a post from the Royal British Legion which condemned abuse he has suffered, the winger made a fiery statement on Instagram.
‘Lest we forget the whole meaning of what it [the poppy] stands for; even if wee no surrender shouting Billy, Andrew, and David who have three teeth and three brain cells between them who hang flags on lampposts and blame fully qualified doctors of different ethnic backgrounds for taking their jobs forget.’
James McClean has hit back at fans after being abused for refusing to wear the poppy
The Wrexham star sat down while his team-mates stood during a Remembrance Day tribute on Saturday
His stance his led to him being targeted with death threats and anti-Irish abuse ever since refusing to wear the Remembrance Day poppy while at Sunderland in 2012.
McClean came off the bench on Saturday to make his 100th appearance for Wrexham.
It has been a turbulent time for McClean, who was involved in a confrontation with a group of Cardiff City fans earlier this month, as Daily Mail Sport revealed.
The incident, which took place before Cardiff City’s 2-1 win over Wrexham, saw a group of supporters involved in a back-and-forth with McClean after he parked his car outside the stadium.
McClean punched one of the fans in what was described as an act of self-defence by club sources.
He 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.
Northern Irish star McClean refuses to wear the red poppy out of respect for his home town
‘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 the 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.’
