Irish soccer star who refuses to wear poppy granted special security permissions

James McClean, a native of Derry who now plays for the Welsh soccer club Wrexham AFC, is being granted special security permissions to exit the field in incidents of "abuse."

The change was announced in a letter issued by the English Football League (EFL) to club safety officers that was leaked and seen by Mail Sport.

"You will be aware that James McClean is often on the receiving end of abuse from some sections of support," the leaked letter says, according to Mail Sport.

"This has, in the past, resulted in FA [Football Association] sanctions against the Club due to the chanting becoming racially, or religiously motivated and therefore, classed as a hate crime. Missiles have also been thrown."

They add: "It has now been agreed that on occasions in the future when Mr. McClean has to leave the field of play, for whatever reason, he will leave by the shortest route towards the tunnel. This process will help to reduce these incidents and also help to manage Mr. McClean's departure from the pitch without incident."

Mail Sport adds that safety officers will be permitted to the same process should other players face similar issues.

According to Mail Sport: “As of 2019-20, players being substituted have to leave the field via the nearest touchline or goal line, as part of a drive to speed up play and cut down on timewasting.

“However, that will no longer be the case for McClean."

Derry native McClean, 35, has previously spoken about the sectarian abuse he has endured for being proudly Irish throughout his career; he's played for the Irish national team, as well as Derry City, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic, West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City, and currently, Wrexham.

Since at least 2011, McClean has refused to wear a poppy, which the Royal British Legion describes as "a show of support for the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces, veterans and their families."

In an incident in September, McClean appeared to respond to jeering spectators during the Wrexham - Birmingham City soccer match at St. Andrew's Stadium in England by slapping his "Free Derry" tattoo on his thigh as he exited the pitch.

A person in the stands launched a beer at him, which McClean caught, pretended to sip from, and tossed on the ground.

The following day, McClean shared a photo of the incident alongside a Bobby Sands quote to his Instagram stories.

More recently, McClean refused to participate in commemorations during the Wrexham - Mansfield match on November 9, the day before Remembrance Sunday. He reportedly requested to not wear an embroidered poppy on his jersey and stood apart from his Wrexham teammates during a pre-match minute's silence.

Wrexham ultimately won 1-0, and footage from the conclusion of the match appears to show McClean blowing kisses to the Mansfield fans:

@robryanredpod Blowing them a kiss 😘 #jamesmcclean #wrexhamfc #wrexham #irishtiktok #footballtiktok #fyp ♬ original sound - robryanredpod

The following day, McClean responded to the incident in a lengthy Instagram post where he said the poppy "represents for me an entire different meaning to what it does for others."

He said he is "absolutely not" offended by someone else wearing a poppy, rather, he is offended by having the poppy "forced" upon him.

He goes on to explain: "The poppy which originally stood for World War 1 and 2 has now been adopted into honouring and remembering British soldiers that have served in all conflicts throughout the world, including those who opened fire and murdered 14 innocent civilians on Bloody Sunday Jan 1972, in my home city, as well many other brutal crimes throughout Ireland

"That is why I never have and never will wear a poppy. If the poppy’s sole purpose was to honour World War 1 and 2, then I would have no issue wearing it, but that's not the case."

McClean went on to say that he respects those who do wear the poppy "as I am fully aware we have different beliefs and upbringings," adding that he would never force his beliefs on others.

He continued: "I’m not naive or stupid enough to expect the matter to be reciprocated, especially as the poppy is forced now on everyone in the UK and god forbid someone doesn’t wear it, the abuse they have to endure.

"The irony of all of this is that the poppy originally stood to honour those who fought for the right of freedom in both world wars."

He concluded his post: "One thing I never have and never will do, is bend the knee to compromise my convictions," adding an Irish flag emoji.