IRISH football fans have been slammed after they were caught on camera chanting anti-Royal songs during a Euro 2020 qualifier.
Video footage shows dozens of fan chanting “James McClean hates the f***** Queen” – in reference to the controversial Ireland winger.
Ireland fans have been slammed for their song regarding McClean and the QueenCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
The incident happened during Ireland’s draw with DenmarkCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
McClean was heckled during a game for Stoke last week for not wearing a poppy on his shirt.
Onlookers said the anti-royalist chants took place during the half-time of the Ireland v Denmark match on November 18.
The eyewitness, 28, claimed “McClean has a lot of fans” in the Republic of Ireland and slammed the chant as “not on” and “out-of-order”.
The eyewitness from Dublin added: “There’s really no point saying something as repellent as that, especially as there’s no place for it in football.
“Ireland weren’t even playing England, so I have no idea why that broke out.
“Personally I think they got carried away – in the heat of the moment, a popular player like McClean became the lightning rod for their passion.
“They obviously love McClean, because he’s a good player.
“I think they also love him because he’s seen as a ‘good local boy’ – and isn’t afraid to be controversial, with the poppy and stuff.
“But there’s no place for all that in a Euro match against Denmark.
“Their language was just vulgar – no one should speak about the Queen like that.”
Stoke City’s McClean grew up on the Creggan estate in Londonderry, Northern Ireland – the site of the notorious ‘Bloody Sunday’ in 1972.
Though McClean had represented Northern Ireland at a number of junior levels, he ultimately opted to represent the Republic at senior level.
McClean blasted the FA in 2018 for its perceived failure not to investigate alleged abuse directed against him on account of his Catholic background.
And last May, he posted a picture on social media of a birthday card addressed to him inscribed with a death threat because of his Republican beliefs.
It is claimed the video of the chanting was filmed inside the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
McClean, 30, has repeatedly refused to wear a poppy on his strip during games which take place on or near November 11.
James McClean has refused to wear a poppy in the pastCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
Impressionist Mario Rosenstock has Republic of Ireland squad in stitches with hilarious Mick McCarthy impression ahead of Denmark clash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
