James McClean said he takes offence at the poppy being “forced upon me” after standing by his ongoing refusal to take part in pre-match Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

James McClean spoke out for the first time since refusing to stand with his Wrexham teammates during the Remembrance silence.

It should be pointed out that McClean hasn’t always helped himself. In 2020, he was fined two weeks’ wages by former club Stoke City after he posted a picture of himself on Instagram wearing a balaclava alongside two children, whom he claimed to be giving a "history lesson."

Wrexham captain James McClean stood separately to his team-mates and refused to wear a poppy as the club observed a minute’s silence for Remembrance Sunday ahead of their fixture against Mansfield.

A video shows what James McClean did to Mansfield fans after refusing to stand with his Wrexham teammates as they observed a minute's silence ahead of Remembrance Sunday. McClean has refused to take part in Remembrance commemorations ever since he moved to England back in 2011.

The 35-year-old, who was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, has refused to take part in Remembrance commemorations since moving to England.

Wrexham captain James McClean says he will not compromise his convictions after explaining why he opts not to wear a poppy. The former Republic of Ireland international stood away from team-mates during the minute’s silence for Remembrance Day held prior ...

The Red Dragon's captain once again refused to wear a poppy as his teammates and the opposition paid their respects before kick-off

Wrexham captain James McClean stood separately to his team-mates and refused to wear a poppy as the club observed a minute’s silence for Remembrance Sunday ahead of their fixture against Mansfield. Games across the country this weekend will pay their respects to those fallen in war by wearing a traditional poppy on their shirts or black armband