James McClean has called out supporters who targeted him with abuse after he refused to take part in Remembrance commemorations or wear a poppy during Wrexham’s victory against Charlton at the weekend.
The 36-year-old midfielder remained seated whilst his colleagues observed the pre-match tribute and appeared without the traditional red poppy on his kit.
Following the incident, McClean took to Instagram to address his critics with a scathing message.
He mocked those he described as having “three teeth and three brain cells between them” who “hang flags on lampposts”.
The post also suggested the critics were racist as they “blame fully qualified doctors of different ethnic backgrounds for taking their jobs”.
The full message read: “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.”
The Royal British Legion had previously condemned the harassment directed at McClean, stating that wearing a poppy remains a personal choice.
McClean’s stance stems from his upbringing in Londonderry, where British forces killed 14 unarmed civilians during a 1972 protest march known as Bloody Sunday.
James McClean appeared without the traditional red poppy on his kit
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GETTY
In total, 26 people were shot during the incident.
The Irish international believes the poppy represents all British military operations rather than solely honouring those who died in the World Wars.
This conviction has guided his decision since he first declined to wear the symbol whilst playing for Sunderland in 2012.
His hometown, which Republicans call Derry, remains central to his reasoning.
McClean took to Instagram to address his critics with a scathing message
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The player has consistently maintained this position throughout his career, despite facing continuous backlash.
Speaking on the Nicky Byrne HQ podcast, the winger expressed frustration at repeatedly justifying his position.
“How many times can you explain yourself?” he said, suggesting his words fall on deaf ears with certain individuals.
McClean added: “There are people that don’t want to understand. You can’t make people like that understand. It’s just sheer ignorance.”
James McClean, who plays for Wrexham, has previously made it clear he’ll never wear a poppy | GETTYThe player marked his 100th appearance for Wrexham when he entered as a substitute on Saturday.
Earlier this month, McClean became embroiled in an altercation with Cardiff City supporters before his side’s defeat at the Welsh capital.
The player struck one fan in what club sources characterised as self-defence after being approached by four individuals in the players’ car park.
The midfielder has endured over a decade of sectarian abuse, including death threats that have traumatised his family.
In 2023, he revealed the severe impact on his wife and mother, who live in fear due to the harassment.
