James McClean: FA warn Stoke winger over Instagram post calling fans ‘uneducated cavemen’ after poppy abuse

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James Benge5 November 2018

The Football Association has handed James McClean a warning after his Instagram post in which the Stoke City winger described some of the club’s fans as “uneducated cavemen”.

McClean was abused by a section of Stoke supporters during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with fellow Championship side Middlesbrough. Republic of Ireland international McClean chose not to wear a poppy embroidered on his shirt during the match – a stance he has taken since arriving in English football in 2011.

The 29-year-old objects to wearing a poppy in light of the British Army’s role in the Troubles, and Stoke had confirmed before the match that the winger would not be wearing the symbol.

A statement from the FA read: "Stoke City’s James McClean has been warned by The FA for his use of an offensive word on social media. We are satisfied that the rest of the player’s postings do not breach FA Rules and, therefore, no further disciplinary action will be taken.

"The FA adds that any discriminatory language or behaviour aimed at any person or persons of nationality or faith, as we understand may have been experienced by the player in this case, is unacceptable."

McClean was born in Derry, where 13 civilian protestors were shot dead by British soldiers on Bloody Sunday in 1972, with a further protestor dying in hospital.

Some supporters did not take favourably to McClean’s decision and he was booed after full-time, leading him to write on Instagram: "Your abuse, your throwing things, your booing, do your worst."

He did, however, add that some fans ”… are actually educated and support me”.

McClean posted a further message on Monday in response to the FA’s investigation, saying: "The FA are investigating me after Saturday's event - for what, exactly?

"Yet week in, week out for the past seven years, I get constant sectarian abuse, death threats, objects being thrown, chanting which is heard loud and clear every week which my family, wife and kids have to listen to, they turn a blind eye and not a single word or condemnation of any sort.

"Huddersfield away last year while playing (for) West Brom where there was an incident with their fans which was on the game highlights where the cameras clearly caught it, yet the FA when complaint was made to them said there 'was not enough evidence'.

"If it was a person's skin colour or if it was anti-Muslim, someone's gender, there would be an uproar and it would be taken in a completely different way and dealt with in a different manner.

"But like in Neil Lennon's case in Scotland, because we are Irish Catholics, they turn a blind eye and nothing is ever said and done.”

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