ENGLISH FA TAKE NO ACTION OVER COMMENTS BUT FURIOUS STOKE

JAMES McCLEAN won’t face any disciplinary action from the English FA following his confrontation with Middlesbrough supporters at the weekend and subsequent foul-mouthed posts on social media. The Republic of Ireland international also accused the FA of ignoring sectarian abuse aimed at him for seven years, as the latest fallout from his stance on opting against wearing a poppy hit the headlines. McClean was booed and jeered by some of his own Stoke City supporters on Saturday before facing a barrage of abuse from Middlesbrough fans as he left the pitch. The Derryman labelled those criticising him as ‘uneducated cavemen’ and declared that ‘no c***’ would change his beliefs. The English FA chose to simply warn the 29-yearold for using the expletive, rather than suspend or fine him, meaning he will be available to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday. ‘Stoke City’s James McClean has been warned by The FA for his use of an offensive word on social media,’ a statement from the FA began. ‘We are satisfied that the rest of the player’s postings do not breach FA Rules and, therefore, no further disciplinary action will be taken. The FA adds that any discriminatory language or behaviour aimed at any person or persons of nationality or faith, as we understand may have been experienced by the player in this case, is unacceptable.’ McClean reacted angrily on his Instagram page following his original post which prompted the investigation. ‘The FA are investigating, for exactly what? 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 West Brom where there was an incident which [sic] 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 they would be an uproar and it would taking in a complete different way and dealt with in a different manner [sic]. But like in Neil Lennon case in Scotland because we are Irish Catholics they turn a blind eye and nothing is ever said and done...’ Stoke also launched their own investigation yesterday, while Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill will name the winger in his squad for this month’s games later today. The Republic of Ireland face Northern Ireland in a friendly in Dublin and also travel to Denmark for the final Nations League group game.