I think the problem McLean has is that he is identified as a Republican, not just white Irish, and has done things that has upset Unionists/loyalists in NI and GB. The 2 main things are being born in the UK but opting to play for the ROI and obviously the whole not wearing the poppy etc. I am not condoning it, just giving my opinion.
James McClean: 'Does being abused for being Irish and anti Irish abuse acceptable?'
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To compare it to Sterling the way he did is so so stupid.
In reality the primary driver for McClean being prominent enough to recieve extra abuse is the poppy debate that surrounds him every year. Another instance where his opinion (that he should in no way have to wear one) is entirely correct and reflects his background.
There are many things to criticise McClean for and ways to do so fairly, yet an overwhelming number of those criticising him do so on issues and in ways that leave him with the moral high ground.
Yes although to be fair this particular custom and tradition is a remarkably modern invention. The poppy traces to the First World War and poppies have been around since not long after it ended. So why has football only just decided over the last 10 years that paying tribute to the poppy in this way is such an important custom and tradition that must be upheld?
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God Save The Queen is also the national anthem of NI though. So the "if he doesn't like it he should move elsewhere" argument would ultimately involve him being unable to live and work where he was actually born too. Which in many ways highlights a key part of McClean's issue with the anthem and the poppy.
It's an argument that only works if you don't understand how NI relates to the rest of the UK.
Ok that's fair. It's discrimination against your natural state I guess. Although my issue is that attacks on nationality is commonly construed as football banter and often harmless between non heated rivals e.g. home countries, Germany/England etc
In the article that started this thread ?
Must be money in it.
I dont know much about the irish people and racism towards them so for all i know he might be spot on.
I do know enough about racism towards black people to know that its not right to call the attacks on Sterling ”one match” or similar. Its all around, all the time. So stupid to even bring the Sterling case in to this IMO.
I do know enough about racism towards black people to know that its not right to call the attacks on Sterling ”one match” or similar. Its all around, all the time. So stupid to even bring the Sterling case in to this IMO.
There's some money in it for the RBL I guess, although I don't begrudge that too much.
It's a societal/cultural shift though, not just in football. What used to be dignified and respectful now seems fetishised and showy. I just don't really understand why.
You're quite right about the cultural shift. If you ask me, the whole bloody country went to pot when Diana was killed.
Haven't you just proven McCleans point for him?
No player should have to move country due to discrimination, it's not right.
The FA are right to support Sterling, but are wrong not to give McClean support.
Calling a player not bright for being brave enough to speak out about the unfair abuse he recieves is shocking.
I've just been watching ReMastered: The Miami Showband Massacre.
I don't see how anyone can think this sort of 'banter' isn't a problem.
I don't see how anyone can think this sort of 'banter' isn't a problem.
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Sorry but he chose to take a stand on a completely a-political issue. The poppy has nothing to do with British imperialism or Irish nationalism.
I'm no nationalist, I hate the Ingerland bullshit as much as anyone. But McLean's brought this on himself. He doesn't deserve abuse or death threats - no-one does - but he can't complain about the controversy.
He gets my vote. He actually has the balls to stand up for his beliefs and also calls out the appropriate institutions. Without delving in too much I mimic his beliefs and that is coming from someone who is English, despite having Irish family.
McLean deserves more support. I admire him.
McLean deserves more support. I admire him.
McCleans problem isn’t anything to do with race, nationality or anything else, certainly not first and foremost. McCleans problem is that he’s an antagonistic tosser, both as a person and as a player. If he had the persona of Juan Mata we would never have heard of this issue
I’m probably asking for trouble but here goes....
McClean has a point. He gets ridiculous abuse. However, other Irish players don’t get near as much of it, if any at all.
The reason: McClean openly supports Sinn Fein, an unrepentant terrorist mob who, over the years, killed pubs full of innocent people in both Birmingham and Guildford and several other innocent British people including two children in Warrington.
During the peak of the troubles they had support of about 5% of Irish people. Now, 20 years later, they have 15% support at best.
As a proud Irish person myself I despise these people and this movement and what they have done (supposedly in my name)
So, while I don’t condone the abuse, I can in some way understand it.
McClean has a point. He gets ridiculous abuse. However, other Irish players don’t get near as much of it, if any at all.
The reason: McClean openly supports Sinn Fein, an unrepentant terrorist mob who, over the years, killed pubs full of innocent people in both Birmingham and Guildford and several other innocent British people including two children in Warrington.
During the peak of the troubles they had support of about 5% of Irish people. Now, 20 years later, they have 15% support at best.
As a proud Irish person myself I despise these people and this movement and what they have done (supposedly in my name)
So, while I don’t condone the abuse, I can in some way understand it.
In what way is he antagonistic?
It suited the establishment & its media supporters to portray people who mourned Diana as 'weird'.
"unrepentant terrorist mob" I can smell the FF/FG from here
Exactly that comment made him look like a twat in my opinion, the person who said he's not very bright is completely right.
Maybe so, and I do believe that Blair and his acolytes milked her death for all it was worth. But Diana's death does seem to have been the catalyst for change in how we mourn the dead. What used to be a private matter is now far more public.
You can't have a thread about the topic here without that lad spouting absolute relentless crap to be fair.
What? Where did you get that from? I think its disgusting.
What "relentless crap" have I spouted before exactly?
Go read any of the previous threads. Look up every one of your posts. And there you go.
What sickens me more is when supposed Irish people attack McClean for his positions. Their ignorance about his background and their own countries history bothers me more than the poppy fascism
I agree that it could've been a turning point. We're further along that self-absorbed road now, in the time when people believe it's more important to show others that they're at an event than it is to actually enjoy the event.
Charming guy you are, I think I have posted on one other thread, but I dont get the "relentless crap", dont be a lazy poster.
Horrible post, it's that kind of narrow mindedness that's made a big deal out of this. He should be free from ridicule, it's his personal choice and unless you grew up in Northern Ireland when he did, you don't know what your on about.
You are trying to rationalize it by his choice of country he represents. Whats that got to do with it?
WTF, did you actually read my post? Im giving the reasons, IMO, I dont agree with the reasons.
spot on
Any time you upset a unionist/loyalist, you're doing something right.
I did and I understand why. Peoole like @westmeath who grew up in proximity should know better but dont. He must have missed his history classes in school.
Im saying that being born in Northern Ireland but picking the ROI, is showing what his political views are to some, and in our country you know some narrow minded people will go with that. I really do not see what I have said to be any way inflamatory.
why?Most do and thats the problem
Having no desire to read through your trash isn't laziness.
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