James McClean: 'Sunderland hung me out to dry over poppy snub'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 28 March 2015

Republic of Ireland international James McClean says that he was "hung out to dry" by former club Sunderland over his refusal to wear a remembrance poppy on his shirt.

Republic of Ireland international James McClean has claimed that he was "hung out to dry" by former club Sunderland over his refusal to wear a remembrance poppy on his shirt.

The midfielder chose not to wear the emblem during a Premier League game at Everton in November 2012, but says that the Black Cats did not let him explain why.

McClean told the Irish Independent: "[Sunderland] didn't understand. To them, I was disrespecting their country, disrespecting their fallen heroes, disrespecting their culture. I was getting booed every touch.

"When I asked to be allowed to speak about it, I was told that that was a bad idea, not to say anything and let it blow over. So it was kind of brushed under the table and I felt that that was more for the club's benefit than mine.

"When you think two years later I finally get to speak about it... for me, that's two years too late. I think I was hung out to dry by the press people at Sunderland."

The 25-year-old, now at Wigan Athletic, was born in Derry, where British soldiers shot dead 13 civilian protesters during 'Bloody Sunday' in 1972.