James McClean disciplined by Stoke after calling section of club’s fans ‘uneducated cavemen’ in row over refusal to wear poppy
Stoke winger was heavily criticised for not wearing a poppy at the weekend and then clashed with his own fans
JAMES McCLEAN has been disciplined by Stoke after calling section of club's fans "uneducated cavemen" in a row over his refusal to wear a poppy.
The Potters' winger's outburst on Instagram came after he was abused by a section of home supporters during the Championship match against Middlesbrough.
McClean was then sent into a further fury after the FA announced they would be investigating the 29-year-old.
The Republic of Ireland international sensationally claimed the Football Association had "turned a blind eye" to the abuse he receives.
But now Stoke City has announced the winger has been disciplined following his actions.
A statement on the club's website read: "Stoke City's investigation into James McClean's social media post following last Saturday's game against Middlesbrough has concluded and the player has been dealt with under the terms of the club's disciplinary procedure."
Irish Catholic McClean, who has faced persistent abuse for choosing not to wear a poppy, gave his own qualified apology to Stoke's supporters.
He said: "At last Saturday's game a section of our supporters threatened and abused me because of my religious beliefs and upbringing.
"I am certain that no fair-minded person would regard that as acceptable but I recognise that as a professional footballer, and therefore a role model, I'm expected to tolerate it."
He added: "Whilst I do not believe it is appropriate for me to apologise to those fans who abused me, I do want to wholeheartedly apologise to the vast majority of Stoke City fans who, although they may have different views to myself, are decent and respectful.
"I sincerely apologise for any offence that I caused them with my comments and posting on Instagram."
Stoke City boss Gary Rowett revealed the Irishman has been sent abusive packages at training and he also weighed in on the row himself.
He said: "I spoke to James about it. I think his reaction was out of frustration but criticising the minority of our fans isn't the way to go and we can't condone that.
"But, when you understand the background to his beliefs and you see that his family have been sent death threats, his wife and kids have had abuse constantly and you see he's been sent things in the post, you can understand why he reacts; he's only human."
McClean had blasted fans who abused him and threw missiles at him over his decision not to wear a poppy in the 0-0 draw between Stoke and Middlesbrough.
The Derry man wrote: "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 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."
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McClean is a native of Derry, Northern Ireland, site of the 1972 Bloody Sunday tragedy in which 14 civilians were killed in clashes with the British Army.
He believes the poppy commemorates all British military activity, including the Bloody Sunday killings in his hometown.
Justifying his decision back in 2014, he wrote: "If the poppy was simply about World War One and Two victims alone, I'd wear it without a problem.
"But for those in Derry, scene of the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, the poppy has come to mean something very different."