James McClean says he suffered sectarian abuse as FA launch investigation

The FA are investigating the incident.

James McClean has said that he was subjected to sectarian abuse during a match on Saturday, but that he does not expect the FA to do anything about the incident. McClean was playing for Wigan Athletic in their 1-0 defeat to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road when the alleged incident took place. The Republic of Ireland international, 33, claims that he was called an 'Irish Fenian ****' during the game. McClean, however, said he does not expect the 'useless' FA to take any action.

James McClean says he suffered sectarian abuse as FA launch investigation.

The Championship match was briefly stopped as McClean reported the incident to the referee. The FA, Blackpool FC and the Lancashire police are all investigating the incident and the FA have released a statement, which reads:

"The incident during the match between Blackpool and Wigan Athletic is being investigated by the club and the relevant authorities, who have jurisdiction over individual spectators.

“We are also investigating the matter to ensure that the appropriate action is taken and we will review the details in the match official’s report."

On Instagram, the former Sunderland winger gave his version of events. McClean denied that the presence of a Northern Ireland flag in the crowd angered him. The Derry native said that he was subjected to anti-Irish songs and comments from a section of the home crowd during the match. McClean wrote: "On the incident today (aye another one) do not get it twisted, I was not offended by a flag honestly you can stick the flag up your hole for all I care. "Section right in front of stewards and police (who responded with the words ‘nothing to do with us’) literally shouting loud and clear ‘f*** off you Irish fenian c***’ multiply times while holding their poxy flag. "Everyone’s a big hard man behind a two-foot advertising hoarding with the invisible wall in front of them holding them back. "Referee will make a report to the FA, the same process that happened at Luton away in the FA Cup game either this season with evidence clear as day, as on many occasions over the years, yet nothing again will happen. "This is simply just highlighting the double standards firstly the FA have and secondly how utter useless that the English FA are." Related links.

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