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Football

01st Jan 2020

James McClean stops and claps as ‘discriminative’ fans get a telling off

Niall McIntyre

The Irish international had let the referee know that he had received abuse from the crowd during Stoke City’s clash with Huddersfield Town at the John Smith Stadium.

Stoke City and Huddersfield town were tied at 2-2 after 64 minutes of their Championship clash on Wednesday evening, when match referee James Leighton called a halt to the play.

An announcement was then made over the tannoys in Huddersfield to warn a certain section of the crowd for their abuse of James McClean.

“Offensive behaviour is affecting the game and will not be tolerated,” it blared out over the PA. 

Upon the announcement, the 30-year-old Derry winger stopped and clapped as his grievances were taken into account.

McClean has long been the victim of sectarian abuse in English football and he has been encouraged to report any instances of abuse to the match officials.

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Huddersfield Town meanwhile, have launched an investigation in an attempt to find the culprits for the faceless abuse while Stoke City manager Michael O’Neill praised his player for his actions.

He’s 100% right to do so,” said the Armagh man.

“There’s no place for this in football stadiums, obviously there’s no place for sectarianism or racism, abuse of players or supporters or anyone for that matter.”

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