Over the years, Irish fans have become accustomed to the constant slaughter of James McClean every November. The Derry native has received backlash and abuse frequently over his career in England due to his stance on remembrance day.
McClean is one of the few players who refuses to wear a poppy during the month of November because of his experience with the British army while growing up during the troubles, making him a far from popular figure across the water.
While former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic followed in the footsteps of McClean, he never quite received the same level of abuse as the Irish wideman.
Now, it appears many football fans in England have found a new player to blast, and it comes in the form of Kilbarrack native Killian Phillips.
Killian Phillips slammed for not taking part in Remembrance Day tribute
Ireland U21 international Killian Phillips is currently playing his trade with Wycombe Wanderers in League One, on loan from Crystal Palace. Prior to Wycombe's clash against Oxford at the weekend, a minute's silence was held in recognition of Remembrance Day.
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Both sets of players joined arm-in-arm on the halfway line, but the former Drogheda United man stood away from his team, on his own while tributes were paid to soldiers who had lost their lives. While some would argue that Phillips was still respectful of the minute's silence, it's clear that the majority of people who picked up on the incident have not held back.
The young midfielder has unearthed a host of abuse from football fans in England, and while Killian Phillips is only at the beginning of his career, he will need to be thick skinned if the treatment of his compatriot James McClean is anything to go by.
Many Oxford and Wycombe fans were quick to blast Phillips, while some were bizarrely even calling for both Crystal Palace and Wycombe to take action against the midfielder.
Killian Phillips the latest to get the James McClean treatment for failing to stand with remembrance day & not wear a poppy.
This should be a choice not mandatory especially given from where he is from & the history
People stand for freedom of speech til it doesn't suit them. pic.twitter.com/ryNDsFTALy
— . (@_Danny_1992_) October 31, 2023
Killian Phillips is not welcome back at palace
— Tom Curtis (@palacetom99) October 30, 2023
Despite the backlash, a number of Ireland and Wycombe fans have supported Killian Phillips and stood by his decision.
We’re with you Killian Phillips 💙#wycombewanderers #wwfc #Chairboys pic.twitter.com/RBx59Q8MlA
— The Wycombe Zone (@TheWycombeZone) October 31, 2023
I may not share his view point on remembrance. But I respect him more for not being a hypocrite just to please others.
— Dave Gardner (@DaveGar46553057) October 31, 2023
In all that’s going on in the world at the moment and people have decided that Killian Phillips deserves to be bombarded for what he stands for! People could do with a history lesson from someone outside of the Commonwealth to understand his reasons… https://t.co/Ygy1mL27zn
— Ciarán Ó Dúghaill ⚡️ (@doylerz88) October 31, 2023
we live in a country where people are free to express their opinions mostly
That’s simply what Killian Phillips did
I would not have done the same but I have not been through the same experiences as him.— lewis ⚭ (@L3wis21A) October 31, 2023
Despite the backlash that the Irish youth international is receiving, should Phillips continue to showcase his undeniable talent, hopefully his success on the pitch will out weigh the vilification from some people.
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