http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2231071/James-McClean-refuses-wear-poppy.html

Doesn't James McClean realise that the poppy is worn to commemorate the fallen soldiers of all nations? What's the betting he'll end up playing at Parkhead for that other prize prick, Neil Lennon.

What a moron, the Poppy appeal is not political in any way so why has he taken this stance? Idiot should be kicked out of our league for that.

If I was a Sunderland supporter, I would be taking my ST, membership, club shirt, anything I recently purchased, and demand a refund unless this bigot is either dropped until he apologises, or fcuk him off !

Thousands and thousands of men who supported that club (one of the best supported clubs in the country) died and were to never return to see their beloved Roker Park ever again.

Did James McClean think of them ? Tosser !!!!

e2a: I am very very anti-war, hate our boys being in Afghanistan, but I always remember those that have been killed or injured on remembrance day, 2 grandfathers injured WW1, 2 uncles POW WWW2.

Edited November 12, 201213 yr by coco

What a moron, the Poppy appeal is not political in any way so why has he taken this stance? Idiot should be kicked out of our league for that.

I disagree.

Well I agree he is a moron, and I agree it isn't political and as Bluebeard has pointed out the poppy is worn as a tribute to all fallen soldiers however he shouldn't be kicked out of the league. As mush as I disagree with his stance he is entitled to hold it and it is not a football related issue. Equally anyone of us is entitled to think he is a grade A pr*ck!

I disagree.

Well I agree he is a moron, and I agree it isn't political and as Bluebeard has pointed out the poppy is worn as a tribute to all fallen soldiers however he shouldn't be kicked out of the league. As mush as I disagree with his stance he is entitled to hold it and it is not a football related issue. Equally anyone of us is entitled to think he is a grade A pr*ck!

If it wasn't for those soldiers who died in WW1 and WW2, he would be picking spuds in a field, at best.

He's a prick but I respect his right to be a prick.

He has every right not to wear it im going to be criticised for this but i perfectly agree with him.He is an Irish nationalist that term wouldn't exist if it weren't for british troops.As he is from Northern Ireland it is odd's on he know's someone killed as a result of the troubles.Those troubles like it or not are a direct result of the british presence in Ireland.Many Catholic northern irishmen would take the exact same stance as him .It would be downright hypocritical of him not to and before someone decides to criticise me for this no one can understand what it's like to grow up a third world child in a first world continent again like it or not this is a result of the British Presence in northern ireland.This is a remembrace of dead soldiers but where is the remembrance of dead civilians shot by those soldiers.

MOF4

A lot of what you say is true however remembrance day and the troubles in Ireland (and causes of it) shouldn't be linked. It originates from after WWI to commemorate all those people who have died in the line of duty. This includes Catholic Irishmen who fought in WWI.

I can respect James McLean's stance and opinion on what has happened in Ireland over the years however demonstrating it through not wearing the poppy doesn't seem the appropriate way to me as it is disrespecting the wrong people.

He has every right not to wear it im going to be criticised for this but i perfectly agree with him.He is an Irish nationalist that term wouldn't exist if it weren't for british troops.As he is from Northern Ireland it is odd's on he know's someone killed as a result of the troubles.Those troubles like it or not are a direct result of the british presence in Ireland.Many Catholic northern irishmen would take the exact same stance as him .It would be downright hypocritical of him not to and before someone decides to criticise me for this no one can understand what it's like to grow up a third world child in a first world continent again like it or not this is a result of the British Presence in northern ireland.This is a remembrace of dead soldiers but where is the remembrance of dead civilians shot by those soldiers.

But is it also not hypocritical to play for or support English clubs then ?

Edited November 12, 201213 yr by coco

MOF4

A lot of what you say is true however remembrance day and the troubles in Ireland (and causes of it) shouldn't be linked. It originates from after WWI to commemorate all those people who have died in the line of duty. This includes Catholic Irishmen who fought in WWI.

I can respect James McLean's stance and opinion on what has happened in Ireland over the years however demonstrating it through not wearing the poppy doesn't seem the appropriate way to me as it is disrespecting the wrong people.

The majority of these men actually went in the hope of gaining home rule for Ireland.Most of the Catholic men in Ireland were more sympathetic to germany in WW1 .The second bolded bit I agree with but it is a british based charity.I can only speak about Derry but when i stay there anything viewed as british is immedeitly disliked by catholics .Thats just the way it is

But is it also not hypocritical to play for or support English clubs then ?

It is hypocritical to support a group of people who may have killed someone he knows .This doesn't mean it is hypocritical to support anything british

The majority of these men actually went in the hope of gaining home rule for Ireland.Most of the Catholic men in Ireland were more sympathetic to germany in WW1 .The second bolded bit I agree with but it is a british based charity.I can only speak about Derry but when i stay there anything viewed as british is immedeitly disliked by catholics .Thats just the way it is

I appreciate the reasons for their involvement, following John Redmond, however the reasons for war, and which side people sympathised with is not, for me, a good excuse to refuse the poppy. If the people who suffered during the war can now stand side by side with soldiers from the other side (as you often see when German and British veterans come together) to honour those who died then it illustrates clearly that they are better people than those who can't see beyond the politics to pay respect to people who died and suffered immeasurably.

I can only retierate that the people that are being respected are those who died in horrendous conditions, not those who chose to send them there.

I appreciate the reasons for their involvement, following John Redmond, however the reasons for war, and which side people sympathised with is not, for me, a good excuse to refuse the poppy. If the people who suffered during the war can now stand side by side with soldiers from the other side (as you often see when German and British veterans come together) to honour those who died then it illustrates clearly that they are better people than those who can't see beyond the politics to pay respect to people who died and suffered immeasurably.

I can only retierate that the people that are being respected are those who died in horrendous conditions, not those who chose to send them there.

I fully agree with what you are saying .I just wanted to point out that McCleans point is valid rather than he's a c**t for not respecting soldiers who died.He and other Northern Irishmen have more right than anyone to refuse the poppy just like Celtic and their banner

It is hypocritical to support a group of people who may have killed someone he knows .This doesn't mean it is hypocritical to support anything british

But by working in this country and paying UK tax (@40%), he is helping to fund retired British troops pensions, the same troops who may have killed someone he know's ?

But by working in this country and paying UK tax (@40%), he is helping to fund retired British troops pensions, the same troops who may have killed someone he know's ?

How much of that is actually going to war veterans tax is tax you have to pay it everywhere if you could trace his money all the way through the goverment into the war veterans pocket i will hire you as my accountant .Whether he likes it or not that money will end up somewhere his only option is to emigrate.My point is he is making a stand in a place where he can choose what he does .You dont have to like it just please dont insult him for having views relative to his background.I'd rather that then he forgets his heritage .By all means dont like it but please respect it

If it wasn't for those soldiers who died in WW1 and WW2, he would be picking spuds in a field, at best.

DID YOU SAY SPPUUDS

it is his choice so fair enough really. you shouldn't HAVE to have a poppy on you.

surprised the daily mail are running a story about it though.

I've got a lot more respect for him than the scouser that looked completely dissinterested before our game yesterday, I got really wound up by him - the spanish bloke that played left back for them, picking his nose during the minutes silence. At least McClean went with his beliefs, however misguided they seem to most of us.

McClean is a scumbag.

McClean is a scumbag.

Why cant you accept his position on this .You don't have to agree just respect it

I can't accept anyone politicising poppy wearing.

I can't accept anyone politicising poppy wearing.

^ This. Some people are so THICK.

MOF4, I am disappointed with your frankly ridiculous view. I can't even be arsed reasoning with you as you are obviously set in your ways.

BVringin Northern Ireland politics into it is stupid.

To not have any respect for one day for what so many soldiers have given for all of our freedoms is nothing short of a bloody disgrace.

Edited November 12, 201213 yr by Zola

To not have any respect for one day for what so many soldiers have given for all of our freedoms is nothing short of a bloody disgrace.

Including the freedom to decide whether you want to wear a poppy or not.

It's not that big a deal at the end of the day. He hasn't made statements in the media or on twitter in an effort to gain publicity for himself (I'm looking at you messieurs Roberts and Ferdinand), and he also observed the minutes silence.

If the wearing of a poppy becomes mandatory instead of being a voluntary action, then it becomes every bit as meaningless as the pre-match handshakes.

Including the freedom to decide whether you want to wear a poppy or not.

It's not that big a deal at the end of the day. He hasn't made statements in the media or on twitter in an effort to gain publicity for himself (I'm looking at you messieurs Roberts and Ferdinand), and he also observed the minutes silence.

If the wearing of a poppy becomes mandatory instead of being a voluntary action, then it becomes every bit as meaningless as the pre-match handshakes.

Agreed. Whilst I understand those who find what he did distasteful, I also think a lot of you are going overboard. He chose not to wear a poppy, as is his right. He didn't go off ranting to the media about it. He didn't make a scene. He just didn't wear a tiny red flower on his top. It shouldn't be a big deal.