JAMES McCLEAN has been fined two weeks wages for his “inappropriate” balaclava post.
Stoke have taken swift action against their midfielder who has also been forced to delete his Instagram account.
McClean later deleted the post and has now deleted his accountCredit: Getty – Contributor
Republic of Ireland star McClean wore a balaclava in front of his children while appearing to homeschool them amid the coronavirus crisis, in a post he described as a “history lesson”.
A Potters club statement read: “Stoke City can confirm that, following an internal disciplinary review, disciplinary action has been taken against James McClean for an inappropriate social media post.
“McClean has been fined two weeks’ wages by the Club and has also agreed to delete his Instagram account.
“The player has expressed contrition and recognises that the post was ill advised and offensive.
“He said: ‘I never wanted to cause any offence but I now realise that I did so and for that I apologise unreservedly. I have spoken to the Club and will be deleting my Instagram account.’
“The Club and the player will be making no further comment on the matter.”
McClean has received abuse throughout his career for refusing to wear a Remembrance Day PoppyCredit: REX Features
Having uploaded the photo to his Instagram story, the winger deleted it shortly after.
The photo shows the Derry native sporting a balaclava – headwear synonymous with the IRA – while sitting in front of two of his kids indoors.
And the picture caption read: “Today’s school lesson – history.”
The Ireland star also included a laughing emoji.
McClean was blasted for the post on social media with some Twitter users describing it as “disgraceful”.
@LFCSandra said: “A disgraceful Instagram post from Stoke City footballer James McClean.”
While @Ian19878jambo said: “James McClean proving once again what a lowlife scumbag he really is.”
HISTORY OF ABUSE
The 30-year-old has been subjected to abuse throughout his career for his refusal to wear a Remembrance Day poppy.
McClean has taken this stance in memory of the Bloody Sunday massacre in which 13 unarmed citizens were murdered in his native Derry in 1972.
He has explained: “If the poppy was simply about World War One and Two victims alone, I’d wear it without a problem.
“I would wear it every day of the year if that was the thing but it doesn’t. It stands for all the conflicts that Britain has been involved in. Because of the history where I come from in Derry, I cannot wear something that represents that.”
Earlier this season Barnsley were charged by the FA over alleged sectarian abuse of the Ireland star.
The Championship club were fined £20,000 after a club official said McClean “should be used to” abuse.
The PFA released a statement in January condemning the “vile” abuse McClean received which they described as “a weekly occurrence”.
McClean has said that he is happy to be “the fall guy” if sectarian abuse is stamped out in football.
He said: “Without trying to sound like some kind of hero, if I have to be the fall guy for young Irish footballers coming through, that they don’t have to suffer that, then I’m happy about that.
“I’ve been critical of the FA in the past and rightly so but credit where it’s due, they have been brilliant recently.”
With 65 caps under his belt, McClean has been an integral part of the Republic of Ireland side under Mick McCarthy, playing in every game of the Euro 2020 qualification campaign.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
