Mcclean fined for balaclava post with kids
FOOTBALLER James Mcclean has been fined two weeks’ wages after he posted a picture of himself home schooling his children while wearing a balaclava.
The Londonderry-born winger, who plays for Championship club Stoke City, has also agreed to delete his Instagram account following the post.
The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international was pictured sitting above his two kids, his face covered by a balaclava, with the caption: ‘Today’s School lesson — History.”
The former Derry City star used an emoji to underline the message was meant to be a joke but Stoke have taken a dim view.
Mcclean told the club’s website: “I never wanted to cause any offence but I now realise that
I did so and for that I apologise unreservedly. I have spoken to the club and will be deleting my Instagram account.”
Mcclean has been a target of abuse over his refusal to wear a poppy on his shirt for Remembrance Sunday since moving to England to join Sunderland in 2011.
A club statement read: “Stoke City can confirm that, following an internal disciplinary review, disciplinary action has been taken against James Mcclean for an inappropriate social media post.
“Mcclean has been fined two weeks’ wages by the club and has also agreed to delete his Instagram account. The player has expressed contrition and recognises that the post was ill-advised and offensive.”
Stoke are managed by outgoing Northern Ireland boss Michael O’neill.