McClean has ‘right to follow his convictions’

JAMES McCLEAN has confirmed that he will not be wearing a poppy on his shirt in Stoke City’s next two matches.

The Championship club released a statement yesterday stating that their summer signing (above) would be maintaining the stance he adopted with all of his previous English clubs.

Football players and managers across England will be wearing poppies on their jerseys as part of the Remembrance Day celebrations.

However, McClean refuses to wear the symbol because the poppy honours soldiers killed in all conflicts – which includes The Troubles.

He grew up in the Creggan area of Derry, a place that was strongly affected by the Bloody Sunday massacre of 1972 which was perpetrated by British Army soldiers.

That lies at the heart of McClean’s decision. He has previously stated that he would wear a poppy if it was a specific tribute to soldiers that died in the World Wars.

“I accept that but I would ask people to be respectful of the choice I have made, just as I’m respectful of people who do choose to wear a poppy,” said McClean.

Stoke say they respect McClean’s decision and the ‘right to follow his own convictions’. They have invited members of the Armed Forces to Saturday’s match with Middlesbrough.