James McClean stood apart from his Wrexham teammates during a minute's silence before Saturday's game against Mansfield Town
James McClean's wife has defended the Derry footballer's stance after he refused to wear a poppy and stood away from his Wrexham teammates during a minute’s silence ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
The 35-year-old - who has received both condemnation and praise for his stance - took to social media on Sunday to once again explain his decision and offer a "full understanding" to his colleagues, teammates and fans. "The poppy which originally stood for World War I and II has now been adopted into honouring and remembering British soldiers that have served in all conflicts throughout the world including those who opened fire and murdered 14 innocent civilians on Bloody Sunday Jan 1972, in my home city, as well many other brutal crimes throughout Ireland.
"The irony of all of this is that the poppy originally stood to honour those who fought for the right of freedom in both World Wars. Some people no matter what will not educate themselves or want to educate themselves, so to those who throw abuse about, with insults like “hates our country” well I don’t, some of my best relationships I’ve made through the years are with people born and raised in England and have completely different beliefs to me.
She also responded to another media article on Instagram, saying: "I'm not even being funny, but who actually gives a s**** anymore. I get it was a news story 12 years ago...but come on. Boringggg."Erin has previously told of how the abuse her husband suffers from sections of the English football terraces while he was playing for Stoke City left her fearing for their family, reports the Irish Mirror.
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