James McClean is being investigated by the
Football Association after labelling a group of
Stoke City supporters “uneducated cavemen” on social media.
Winger McClean, who left
West Brom to join the Potters this summer for an initial fee of £5m, tends to make the headlines at this time of year because of decision against wearing a poppy ahead of Remembrance Sunday - a stance he has previously explained on a number of occasions in previous years, having been born and grown up in Derry where 14 people were shot dead by British Soldiers in 1972.
In Stoke’s goalless draw with Middlesbrough at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday evening, McClean was the subject of abuse from members of his own fanbase as well as travelling Boro supporters because of his refusal to carry an embroidered poppy on his jersey, something the other players involved in the game did.
Irishman McClean hit back at his abusers via his Instagram account after the match, branding them ‘uneducated cavemen’ - and they’re comments that have prompted the FA to launch an investigation.
“They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn’t want to be broken,” McClean wrote, quoting Irish Republican and hunger striker Bobby Sands.
“Your abuse, your throwing things, your booing, do your worst.. to the home fans that are actually educated and support me, thank yous.. to the section of uneducated cavemen in left hand corner of the boothen end stand that want to song their anti irish song each game and call me a fenian this and that.. i am a PROUD FENIAN no c@#t will ever change that, so sing away.”