A joint reception for the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland teams in Belfast would kick-start flag-style protests in the city, according to PUP leader Billy Hutchinson.
The SDLP proposal is to be voted on tomorrow evening.
Hutchinson - who despite his colourful past emerged as a moderate figure in the 1990s and an ardent supporter of the Good Friday Agreement - surprised council colleagues with his prediction that the reception could lead to more rioting and protests in the city.
He told Suzanne Breen in the Belfast Telegraph that it was the flag issue all over again.
I warned them over removing the flag, that it would lead to protests should they go down that road. It will be the same again.
For those that don't know, the flag issue flared up when Belfast City Council voted that the Union Flag only fly above the building for 18 days a year, a regulation which is entirely in line with practice in the United Kingdom as a whole.
Hutchinson had taken a swipe at McClean over the poppy business in his original comments. He stood over those comments in the Telegraph. Naturally, McClean's wages were referenced. It was 'disgraceful' that a person earning that much money in England refused to wear the poppy.
My attitude is 'When in Rome, do what the Romans do'.
How likely is it to pass? The unionist parties are committed to opposing the proposal. But with Sinn Fein being currently the biggest party on Belfast Council and with the motion being proposed by the SDLP and likely supported by the Alliance Party members, those if favour should have the numbers to pass the motion.
