James McClean has again called out the FA after being subject to more sectarian abuse at the hands of rival supporters.
This time, a group of Blackpool supporters were responsible. Wigan visited Bloomfield Road yesterday. The Latics had beaten Blackpool in November, and McClean did not enamour himself with Blackpool supporters when he flashed them the score of the match.
Blackpool supporters seemed determined to have their say yesterday. In the first half of the match, as McClean prepared to take a corner, he was subjected to a torrent of abuse. McClean had a word with the referee as supporters sang songs about the IRA.
You can watch the scene here.
Delay before James McClean can take a corner, some things thrown, a lot of things chanted…referee involved… #wafc pic.twitter.com/nT3wMAzARG
— Paul Kendrick (@PKendrickWIG) April 15, 2023
Photographs show police were within earshot of the incident.
McClean took to instagram to release a statement explaining the incident. Blackpool supporters had claimed he was angry about the sight of a Northern Ireland flag, but McClean said fans were shouting "f*** off you Irish fenian c***’ multiply times while holding their poxy flag".
These incidents are sadly routine, and McClean has regularly vented his frustration with the FA's inability to stamp out sectarian chanting at Wigan games.
This tweet here sums up the mood of Blackpool supporters towards McClean.
Fuck James McClean pic.twitter.com/exdsry4ZY9
— Jason (@JaseBFC1887) April 15, 2023
McClean also expressed skepticism that the FA would take any significant action about the abuse.
“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 the nothing (sic) 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.”
(He was subject to similar abuse when Wigan played Luton back in January)
The FA released a statement after the match saying they are investigating the incident.
"We strongly condemn all forms of discriminatory and offensive behaviour, which has no place in our game," said a spokesperson for the FA.
“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.
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