West Brom midfielder to cause outrage by refusing to wear poppy in November

James McClean was part of the West Brom side that overcame Sunderland at the Hawthorns

JAMES McCLEAN is set to spark fresh controversy after admitting he will refuse to wear a poppy again next month.

 

The controversial West Brom winger is waiting to see if he will be charged by the FA after sparking ugly scenes against his former club Sunderland on Saturday.

The Republic of Ireland star incensed Sunderland's players and fans by celebrating in front of them after the Baggies win.

It is understood that referee Martin Atkinson did not see McClean's fist pump gesture and has not included it in his match report. But the FA can still slap him with a charge of improper conduct if they see fit after studying video evidence.

McClean, who is from Derry, still has major issues with how Sunderland "hung him out to dry" over his controversial Remembrance Day poppy stance three years ago.

The 26-year-old says the club never let him explain his side of the story and revealed he will not be wearing the club's special poppy shirt again around the Remembrance Sunday commemorations on November 8.

"People say that by not wearing a poppy, I'm being disrespectful, but they don't ask me why it is that I choose not to wear it," he said.

"If the poppy was simply about World War One and Two victims alone, I would wear it without a problem. I would wear it every day of the year if that was the thing."

McClean celebrated victory in front of the Sunderland fans, angering the visiting players

"But it stands for all the conflicts that Britain has been involved in. Because of the history where I come from in Derry, I cannot wear something that represents that."

Saido Berahino scored the 54th minute winner in Sam Allardyce's first game as Sunderland manager.

And next weeks Wear-Tyne derby will take on even more importance.

"I've got to make sure I keep the reputation of Sunderland up here," he said. "The pressure's on me more than on Steve McClaren [Newcastle boss] because we've won the last five so I don't want to be the man that doesn't win one.

"Only the players can make me smile next week when we play them. Do I expect abuse? Have you seen the thickness of my skin?"