James McClean angered at FA for probing social media post over remembrance poppy

Stoke’s James McClean has criticised the FA for investigating his Instagram post over not wearing a Remembrance poppy, accusing them of a double standard.

McClean took on social media after a clash with both Middlesbrough and his own fans on Saturday – lambasting those in the stands he deems “uneducated cavemen” for criticising his decision. The FA are now investigating the post.

Stoke are looking into his social media activity and the incident with fans following Saturday’s match.

But the Republic of Ireland international has questioned why the FA is getting involved and says he has suffered “sectarian abuse” for years that has gone unpunished by the governing body.

Posting another message on social media on Monday, McClean said: “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.”

Sky Sports News has contacted the FA for a response to McClean’s latest outburst but they are yet to comment.

The Republic of Ireland international has consistently made the decision not to wear a poppy on his shirt and again explained his reasons for that decision before Friday’s game.

He was backed by Stoke, who he signed for from West Brom over the summer, but that did not stop the negative reaction when he came on as a late substitute.

(c) Sky News 2018: James McClean angered at FA for probing social media post over remembrance poppy