Vile trolls of Ireland soccer star James McClean urged Millwall fans to physically attack the Derry man.
James, 33, was abused and targeted with projectiles thrown from the crowd when his club Wigan drew 1-1 with Millwall in England’s Championship last Saturday.
In the latest disturbances, which first began a decade ago with death threats for not wearing a poppy, some supporters hurled sectarian abuse at the winger.
Read More: James McClean hits back at Milwall fans following abuse during visit to The Den
There have since been calls for Millwall FC to identify the abusive fans – but an online mob has praised the thugs in the club’s stadium called The Den.
One fan complained: “Disgusting sectarian abuse towards James McClean. Seen things thrown when he’s been over to take a corner.
“Millwall FC, something needs to be done.”
The fan added that they were shouting: “F**k the IRA”.
He added: “Every time [McClean] went anywhere near the corners, he got dog’s abuse. It’s unacceptable and the stewards/refs did nothing.”
McClean has suffered sectarian abuse at several grounds in England, but the hostile vitriol spewed at Millwall has been unrelenting for the last seven years.
Millwall trolls wrote online: “Absolutely fantastic to see and well done to every fan who took part.”
Another wrote: “I agree. He can leave the country, if he doesn’t like it.”
One tweeted: “Well done Millwall. Terrorist supporters should be hounded wherever they go.”
Another said: “Millwall, can you make sure those fans are given throwing lessons? Never seen anything on target.”
The Professional Footballers’ Association called for an end of the abuse in a statement in 2020.
The PFA said: “James has been subjected to this type of vile abuse throughout his career and he will be fully supported.”
But it has continued, with a video showing in October showing anti-IRA chants that were directed at James by fans of his former club Sunderland.
Those same “f**k the IRA” chants were heard again at the weekend and were repeatedly heard at The Den every time that James has played there.
After he was abused at The Den in April 2015, James posted online: “As for the abuse from the big hard crowd, do me a favour. God sake, me missus gives me a harder time.”
James and Wigan Athletic issued an open letter eight years ago to explain his decision not to wear a poppy.
He said: “For people from the north of Ireland such as myself, and specifically those in Derry, scene of the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, the Poppy has come to mean something very different.”
McClean has ignored the boo boys to produce good performances for Wigan and has been regularly picked by Ireland manager Stephen Kenny’s at left-wing back.
As well as incidents of abuse at Millwall and Sunderland, there have been investigations at Barnsley and Huddersfield.
The Kick it Out organisation that campaigns for equality in football said: “James McClean was once again subjected to disgraceful anti-Irish and sectarian abuse.”
It added: “The abuse he continues to receive is absolutely unacceptable and shames our game.”
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