sport news Refusing to wear a poppy, a balaclava 'school history lesson', 'IRA ... trends now
Wrexham star James McClean's decision to salute fans singing how he 'hates the f***ing King' will come as little surprise to anyone who has followed his career to date.
The 34-year-old Irishman is well known for his staunch pro-nationalist, anti-monarchy views, and has repeatedly courted controversy for his outspoken approach over nearly two decades as a professional footballer.
From refusing to wear a poppy and turning away during the national anthem to posing IRA-style in a balaclava in front of his children for a 'school history lesson' - his outbursts have regularly attracted scorn, and in some cases, official sanction.
In his latest political gesture, McClean sported a Palestine flag badge on his collar while warming up for Wrexham for a game against Doncaster Rovers on April 2 - in an apparent breach of EFL rules restricting political statements.
Born in Londonderry, the footballer started out playing for his local club before beginning his Premier League career with Sunderland in 2011. Spells at Wigan, West Brom and Stoke followed before he signed for Wrexham in 2023.
Controversial Irish star James McClean saluted Wrexham fans singing a chant that includes the worlds 'he hates the f***ing King'
McClean doubled down in an Instagram post, saying he 'sang along at the top of my lungs'
Footage from Saturday shows McClean walking up to Wrexham fans who were singing for him following the Welsh side's 6-0 thrashing of Forest Green Rovers that secured them promotion into League One.
The Irishman is seen urging the crowd to continue singing the song, one line of which says: 'He hates the f***ing King'.
It came just a few weeks after Prince William visited Wrexham's Racecourse Ground to meet staff and players, and hear about how the club has risen since the takeover by Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
King Charles met the Hollywood duo on his own visit to Wrexham in December 2022, while Prince William met McElhenney, manager Phil Parkinson, plus players Ben Tozer and Luke Young on St David's Day last month.
Taking to Instagram, McClean shared a screenshot of a MailOnline story about the song incident and wrote: 'Is this correct? Absolutely and I also sang along at the top of my lungs.'
He added: 'Do I make any apologies for doing so? Absolutely not.
McClean first made headlines in 2012 over his personal decision not to wear a poppy in the lead-up to Remembrance Day, a decision which led to him being booed by some of his own fans.
He continued this stance throughout his career in England, leading to him being targeted by sectarian abuse.
McClean was celebrating with the Wrexham fans after they earned promotion at the weekend
It came just a few weeks after Prince William visited Wrexham's Racecourse Ground to meet staff and players
The footballer could be seen wearing a Palestine flag badge on his collar for a game against Doncaster Rovers on April 2
Explaining the decision, he cited Bloody Sunday - which saw British Soldiers shoot dead 26 unarmed civilians in his home city of Londonderry, known to nationalists as Derry.
The Irish international later hit out at the abuse he had received for the decision and insisted he only wanted 'respect'.
