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.
