Winger James McClean has claimed a sectarian jibe prompted him to react angrily towards his own club fans
The Ireland ace was seen making a gesture in the direction of the home end during Wigan's League One clash with Bristol City at the DW Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
After the game, McClean went on social media to explain the circumstances and claimed that a number of Wigan fans were hurling sectarian abuse at him during the weekend's clash.
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The Derryman has regularly been the target of sectarian abuse from opposition supporters during his time in English football. However, this is the first time it’s involved abuse from the home end of the stadium.
"To shed some light on the situation at half-time today, few vermin (grown men) in the home end decide to go to a game of football to shout sectarian abuse and sing a song that celebrates the death of Catholics all first half at me," McClean said in a post on Instagram.
"Not regulars by the way, which make their actions more pathetic."
Since moving to England in 2011, McClean has regularly been subjected to sectarian abuse, both online and from the stands, due to his refusal to wear a poppy on his shirt for games around Remembrance Day.
The Ireland winger states his objection derives from his affinity with his hometown of Derry and to the role of the British Army during The Troubles.
Ever since, English football fans have targeted him; abusing him verbally from the stands, sending him threatening messages online and even sending him death threats through the post.
In 2020, The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) pledged its support to McClean after the winger, who played for Stoke City at the time, was the victim of discriminatory chants from sections of the crowd during his team’s 5-2 win away to Huddersfield Town on New Year’s Day.
“James has been subjected to this type of vile abuse throughout his career, and he will be fully supported in the same way as any other individual who receives abuse based on their race, religion or nationality,” said a statement issued by the PFA, the union which represents professional footballers in England.
“The PFA have previously advised James to report sectarian chanting to match officials and we are satisfied that in this instance the protocol was enacted. However, this action in isolation is not sufficient.
“We welcome that Huddersfield have committed to a full investigation to identify offenders; we hope that the perpetrators will face further consequences from both within and outside the game.
“In addition, as with other forms of discrimination, it has become clear that this type of abuse is on the rise and is becoming a weekly occurrence for James.”
Later that year, Barnsley were fined £20,000 and told to implement an action plan after some of their fans directed sectarian abuse at McClean.
The following year, after McClean completed a move to Wigan, the club wrote to their EFL rivals to warn clubs that the Football Association will charge them if the Republic of Ireland international is subjected to sectarian abuse in their stadium.
Wigan advised them to “consider putting plans in place to respond to any inappropriate or unlawful chanting”.
“I am raising these matters with you to ensure you are fully sighted on the circumstances and to avoid your club being charged with contravening rule E20 by the FA,” reads the letter from Wigan’s stadium safety officer and head of football administration, which goes on to thank clubs for their support. “If there were any issues during the game, it would also be helpful if you spoke to James to advise him of the action taken.”
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