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Stoke Man Bites Back As The FA Investigate Middlesbrough Incident

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With James McClean not wearing a Poppy on his shirt during Stoke City’s clash at the weekend with Middlesbrough, you didn’t need to be a rocket scientist to know there would be some fallout from his decision as there is every year when the story rears its head and gets built up in the press despite it not actually being something new.

There was an incident between the Republic of Ireland international and sections of the home crowd during the game on Saturday and the Football Association have now confirmed they are investigating the matter – and they are also looking at a social media post the 29-year-old sent out to football followers.

McClean came on in the game as a substitute in the final ten minutes of the scoreless draw at the Bet365 Stadium and he’s taken to social media again in light of the FA’s confirmation that they are looking into the match.

I’ve stated before I don’t agree with his choice but it is his choice to make – the choice was what people from all corners of the country fought for.

McClean has an experience many don’t and that’s why they can’t understand and the media whipping this up on an annual basis serves no purpose at all.

The story will grow though as the BBC are reporting that Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic is also now refusing to wear the Poppy for his own personal reasons.

View this post on Instagram

I recognise fully why people wear poppies, I totally respect everyone’s right to do so and I have total sympathy for anyone who has lost loved ones due to conflict. However, for me it is only a reminder of an attack that I felt personally as a young, frightened 12-year old boy living in Vrelo, as my country was devastated by the bombing of Serbia in 1999. Whilst I have done so previously, on reflection I now don't feel it is right for me to wear the poppy on my shirt. I do not want to undermine the poppy as a symbol of pride within Britain or offend anyone, however, we are all a product of our own upbringing and this is a personal choice for the reasons outlined. I hope everyone understands my reasons now that I have explained them and I can concentrate on helping the team in the games that lie ahead.

A post shared by Nemanja Matic (@nemanjamatic) on

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