An Irish professional soccer player was the victim of anti-Catholic insults and blasphemy during a match in England.
Newsroom (23/10/2022 14:50, Gaudium Press) Irish footballer James McClean is a professional footballer who plays for Wigan Athletic, a team in the second division of the English Premier League.
Last Saturday, October 15, McClean was playing against Sunderland, his former team between 2011 and 2013, when he was the victim of anti-Catholic and xenophobic insults from opposing fans.
Sunderland fans were shouting and chanting slogans and blasphemies against James McClean and the Pope. In fact, the player earned the fans’ hatred when he refused to wear the poppy (a symbol honouring British troops) during his time with the club.
The week after the match, the player published the chant with the offences on his social networks and declared that the Football Association (FA) does not take any action to prevent this kind of act.
The Football Association is responsible for running the sport in the country. “Every year I challenge them about the abuse, and every year they do nothing,” said the FA representatives.
McClean also stated that his seven-year-old son attends every game, and last Saturday, he asked his mother why fans were shouting and chanting against his father.
McClean’s wife, Erin, thanked people for the messages of support and encouragement that came their way after the player’s outburst.
The Sunderland club released a statement saying it “has a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination of all kinds” and strives for an inclusive, family-friendly environment in the soccer stadium.
The English Football League also issued a statement condemning the insults and saying it stands ready to help clubs, the Football Association and other authorities. (FM)
Compiled by Camille Mittermeier.