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James McClean reveals latest sectarian Instagram threat

James McClean has revealed the latest in a string of sectarian hate mail that he has received, pu...



James McClean reveals latest s...
Soccer

James McClean reveals latest sectarian Instagram threat

James McClean has revealed the latest in a string of sectarian hate mail that he has received, purportedly from a fan of Glasgow Rangers.

McClean, from Derry, has become the symbol of the problem of sectarianism within the game and the latest will come as little surprise.

McClean was messaged on social media - seemingly the latest in a series from that fan alone - threatening violence against him.

James McClean reveals latest in string of sectarian hate mail

The latest message comes just weeks after Barnsley were fined £20,000 for sectarian abuse aimed at McClean when Stoke met the South Yorkshire club in the Championship.

Speaking to Off The Ball in January, the Republic of Ireland winger said he'd become sadly accustomed to such abuse, "I’ve been getting this every week in the last eight, nine years since I’ve been in England. I’ve just learned to roll with it. It doesn’t bother me, it doesn’t affect me.

"I think I’ve been very vocal in the last few years because, in a way, I’m probably to blame in the sense that I didn’t really follow up and go after the right people.

"I shouldn’t have had to anyway because that’s their job. Discrimination is discrimination. They shouldn’t need me to basically cry about it so they do their job."

The English FA have taken a more serious stance on combating racism in recent times, which inspired the Irishman to speak out about the abuse directed towards him.

“I thought, ‘Hold on a second. I’ve been getting this for the last eight, nine years. So why has no one spoken up then? I’m going to challenge them.’ “I’ve been very critical publicly about the powers in England, and rightly so.

“I think the moment it changed was the moment my daughter started asking me at games… ‘Daddy, why are they booing you and saying nasty things to you?’

“As a father, that’s a conversation I shouldn’t have to have and one I don’t want to have.’ As much as I’ve said it doesn’t bother me, if I’m having to answer questions to my daughter [about the abuse] that’s different.

“I went after the FA and the powers that be and to be fair to them, they’ve been brilliant since,” McClean commented.

With the latest development, it appears that much more needs to be done in the British game to combat such discrimination.

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Celtic James Mcclean Rangers Sectaranism Sectarian