James McClean has stated that he makes no apologies for singing along with an anti-monarchy chant during Wrexham's promotion celebrations on Saturday.
After a 6-0 win of Forest Green Rovers sealed promotion to League One, McClean was serenaded by the Wrexham fans while walking around the pitch with his family.
The chant in question contains the lyrics "he hates the f***ing king" and McClean was filmed lapping up the adulation, while his son got a telling off for attempting to join in.
This is nothing new for anyone who knows anything about McClean's political leanings, but the footage was picked up on by the Daily Mail, who gave the story the following headline: "Controversial Irish Wrexham star James McClean salutes fans singing 'he hates the f***ing King', weeks after Ryan Reynolds' team invited Prince William to their stadium."
Wait for it.😅pic.twitter.com/aGtkDM452M
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) April 15, 2024
James McClean responds to Daily Mail article
Wrexham's rise has attracted plenty of public attention in recent times, so it's no surprise that they would invite a member of the British royal family to their ground in the name of PR.
That has nothing to do with McClean though, whose stance on the UK establishment has been public knowledge since the beginning of his career.
On Tuesday, the Ireland centurion issued a response to the Daily Mail article to clarify the situation in the only way he knows how.
"Is this correct?" posted McClean on his Instagram Stories, alongside a screenshot of the article. "Absolutely and I also sang along at the top of my lungs. Do I make any apologies for doing so? Absolutely not."
Controversial Irish Wrexham star James McClean says he sang about 'hating the f***ing King at the top of his lungs' and will 'absolutely not apologise' https://t.co/ryNtFuh94A
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) April 17, 2024
McClean stands firm in face of criticism
The Mail have since produced another story about McClean's response but he continues to stand firm in the face of English media trying to bring him down, even if the he will likely face more vitriol from his usual abusers
The Derryman certainly enjoyed himself over the weekend, blasting The Fields of Athenry in the Wrexham dressing room as he toasted promotion with his teammates.
He's clearly a popular man in the dressing room and among the Wrexham fanbase, despite the Mail's insistence on portraying him as a villain.
See Also: John O'Shea Clarifies Presence Of Mick McCarthy At Ireland Team Hotel
