FA investigating Barnsley over fans’ anti-IRA and Pope songs aimed at poppy rebel James McClean

THE FA are reportedly investigating Barnsley after fans sang anti-Pope and anti-IRA songs during Saturday’s defeat to Stoke.

The claims a section of Barnsley supporters were heard singing songs aimed at Stoke’s Republic of Ireland international James McClean.

The winger, 30, hails from Londonderry in Northern Ireland and refuses to wear a poppy on his shirt.

13 unarmed civil rights marchers were shot dead by British paratroopers in 1972 on the same Creggan estate where McClean grew up.

And the midfielder has never shied away from his refusal to don the poppy during the Remembrance Day period.

McClean was loudly booed each time he touched the ball during Stoke’s 4-2 win away at Barnsley.

And some home fans chanted songs which included lyrics such as “f*** the Pope and the IRA”, and “f*** the IRA.”

The FA are now reportedly set to investigate the chants after referee Jeremy Simpson made an allegation of discriminatory behaviour in his post-match report.

Last year, McClean blasted the FA for not investigating abuse allegedly aimed at his Irish Catholic background.

He clashed with Stoke fans over his poppy stance before labelling them “uneducated cavemen”, and was disciplined for his comments by the club.

McClean was abused by QPR fans earlier this year due to his refusal to wear the poppy.

And the Stoke star revealed in May that he had been sent a death threat in the post because of his desire to see Northern Ireland leave British rule.