JAMES MCCLEAN has revealed his frustration over the lack of support he has received from football’s players, authorities and media in the wake of racist messages sent to Wilfried Zaha and David McGoldrick.
The 31-year-old Republic of Ireland winger has refused to wear the poppy throughout his near-decade stint playing in England for the likes of Sunderland, Wigan, West Brom and Stoke.
James McClean has hit out at the lack of support he has received for the abuse he gets in the wake of racist messages sent to Wilfried Zaha and David McGoldrickCredit: Getty Images – Getty
That decision is down to his affinity to Derry and the role of the British Army during The Troubles.
McClean has publicly declared he would wear the poppy if it was just to honour those who lost their lives in the World Wars as well as insisting his stance is not political and rather one of peace.
Despite that, he is regularly booed by opposition fans and has faced death threats and a torrent of abuse.
Now he says he has a “sour taste” over the treatment of fellow footballers who have been on the receiving end of racist messages after authorities, media and supporters rallied round Zaha and McGoldrick after they were the victims of vile messages this weekend.
A 12-year-old boy has been arrested in the West Midlands in connection with the racist abuse aimed at Crystal Palace’s Zaha.
The star also hit out at his Republic of Ireland team-mates for their lack of supportCredit: Sportsfile
McClean says the “horrendous” abuse was correctly condemned but went on to discuss the public response to the abuse he regularly receives.
He wrote on social media: “Driving back from training today while listening to talkSport discussing the vile racist comments this weekend made towards Zaha and McGoldrick on social media, listening to their reaction of disgust at it – and rightly so for that matter because it is horrendous and nobody should be subjected to that and people need to be held responsible for their words and actions.
“What leaves a sour taste tho [sic] in my mouth, and not only this but with everything else of late, I have received more abuse than [any] other player during my 9 years in England wether [sic] that be, death threats, bullets sent in the post, birthday cards, letters etc! This is not a cry for sympathy but one to ask the question what is the difference?
“12-year-old boys get arrested for posting racial abuse online to Zaha, again rightly so, has anyone ever been held accountable for mine? No!
“Have I ever had any abuse condemned by the media? (Sky Sports, talkSport, newspapers) No! In fact quite the opposite, the slightest thing that I do that might cause offence to any one is highlighted by them.”
McClean did not stop there as he then switched his attention to his international team-mates and their lack of support for him.
He said: “I have seen some of my fellow Irish team mates post a black square in support of anti racism as well as post condemning the discrimination and AGAIN rightly so!
“Have I ever seen any of them ever post a public condemnation of the discrimination I get which funnily enough is a discrimination against them also? That would be a no!
“Does one kind of discrimination hold a higher bearing over another act of discrimination?
“I would say am confused but that’s the wrong word because confused means not fully understanding something, in this case it’s quite clear!
“If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.”
Since the season’s restart Premier League clubs and players have been supporting Black Lives Matter.
Patches have been added on the sleeves of kit while players bore the slogan ‘Black Lives Matter’ on the back of their shirts in the first game back.
Top-flight stars take the knee at kick-off, a gesture to support anti-racism after George Floyd was murdered by a cop in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when kneeling on his neck.
However, in recent weeks some players have stopped kneeling and clubs have withdrawn their support of the Black Lives Matter group – though they still support the message of equality and anti-racism.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson speaks about ‘cowardly and despicable’ racial abuse levelled at Wilfried Zaha before Aston Villa match
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
