MCCLEAN FINED AS HIS PARAMILITARY JOKE BACKFIRES

JAMES MCCLEAN has apologised for a social media post that whipped up another storm.

The Republic of Ireland star (left) also agreed to delete his Instagram account, after posting a picture of himself sitting in front of his two children in a black, paramilitary-style balaclava (right).

It is captioned: “Today’s school lesson - History”

along with a laughing emoji. The winger (above) was yesterday slapped with a two-week fine by

Championship club Stoke City.

Mcclean also confirmed he has deleted the Instagram account in question after a ferocious backlash.

He said in a statement: “I never wanted to cause any offence but I now realise that I did so and for that I apologise unreservedly.”

Stoke, who are managed by Northern Ireland boss Michael O’neill, launched an internal disciplinary review into the matter.

And a Potters statement read: “Stoke can confirm action has been taken against James Mcclean for an inappropriate social media post.

“Mcclean has been fined two weeks’ wages and has also agreed to delete his Instagram account.

“The player has expressed contrition and recognises that the post was ill advised and offensive.”

Playing in England, Mcclean has been targeted by terrace boo boys over his refusal to wear a poppy.

And the Derryman reported some clubs to the FA over incidents of sectarian abuse, with Barnsley fined £20,000 in February.

Speaking in January, Mcclean felt “huge progress” was being made in his fight against such abuse.

He praised the FA, Football League, PFA, Kick It Out and Staffordshire Police and said: “The abuse in the last few games has simmered right down.”

But this latest social media blooper could undo a lot of that goodwill.

Stoke fans were split down the middle on whether Mcclean’s post was offensive or humorous.

On Twitter, one wrote: “His political views are up to him, as long as he gives 100% on the pitch for Stoke that’s all that matters for me.”

But another said: “Shame on him, this isn’t funny. Idiotic is the word I use here.”