McClean warned after abusing Stoke fans
STOKE officials will speak to James McClean after the winger criticised some of the club’s supporters in expletive fashion and angrily attacked an FA investigation amid his refusal to wear a poppy. McClean was abused by some Stoke fans during the 0-0 draw at home against Middlesbrough on Saturday before getting into a furious confrontation with away supporters after the final whistle. He labelled those who booed him ‘uneducated cavemen’ and said ‘no c*** will ever change’ his stance. The FA last night warned McClean for his use of an offensive word but he will face no further action from the governing body. Stoke support McClean’s right to refuse to wear a poppy took a dim view of such a public show of antagonism. Manager Gary Rowett held discussions with McClean before training yesterday. But the 29-year-old then wrote another post in response to reports that the FA were also studying his actions. McClean said: ‘The FA are investigating me after Saturday’s event, for what exactly? 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. ‘Huddersfield away last year while playing for West Brom, there was an incident with their fans which was on the highlights, where the cameras clearly caught it yet the FA when the complaint was made to them said there “was not enough evidence”. If it was a person’s skin colour, or it was anti-Muslim, someone’s ’ gender, d th there would be complete uproar and it would be dealt with in a different manner.’ on Sunday, McClean directed his anger at Stoke supporters: ‘Your abuse, your throwing things, your booing, do your worst. To the home fans that are actually educated and support t me, thank th k you. ‘To the uneducated cavemen in the left-hand corner of the Boothen End stand that want to sing their anti-Irish song each game and call me a Fenian this and that. I am a PROUD FENIAN no c*** will ever change that, so sing away.’