James McClean of Wigan Athletic is seen taking part in a minute silence, as players and spectators pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
James McClean : Wigan | Queen | Armband | Spitting
Joseph McClean (born 22 April 1989) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a winger for EFL Championship club Wigan Athletic and the Republic of Ireland national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Joseph McClean | ||
| Date of birth | 22 April 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Derry, Northern Ireland | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Winger | ||
He spent two seasons at Wigan, claiming their player of the year award in the latter, and then returned to the Premier League by joining West Bromwich Albion in June 2015.
McClean spent three season with the Baggies before joining Stoke City in July 2018 and McClean re-signed for Wigan Athletic in August 2021.
McClean was born and brought up in Derry and played for the Northern Ireland national under-21 football team, but declined a call-up to the senior squad because he wanted to play for the Republic of Ireland.
In February 2012, McClean received international clearance from FIFA which made him eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland, making his debut against the Czech Republic in the same month. He has since represented the nation at UEFA Euro 2012 and UEFA Euro 2016.
James McClean Wigan
McClean signed for Championship club Wigan Athletic on a three-year contract on 8 August 2013.
Three days later he made his debut in the 2013 FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium, starting in a 2–0 loss to Manchester United.
He scored his first goal for Wigan on 26 January 2014 in the FA Cup fourth round, a winner in a 2–1 victory against Crystal Palace.
He had scored on 18 December against Sheffield Wednesday, but that match was abandoned in heavy rain and his goal was struck from the records; it was the only goal of the game by the 59th minute in which it was called off.
McClean played in 49 matches in 2013–14, scoring four goals as Wigan reached the Championship play-offs where they lost 2–1 to Queens Park Rangers.
The 2014–15 was a poor one for the Latics as they finished in 23rd place were relegated to League One.
Queen
James McClean has spoken out in relation to the return of football in the UK this week following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Sporting fixtures were cancelled across the UK following the monarch’s death on Thursday at the age of 96.
The Premier League and The English Football League (EFL) will resume from midweek, with McClean’s Wigan Athletic in action against Huddersfield in the Championship on Tuesday.
In a statement issued on Monday, the EFL said fixtures will return as scheduled from Tuesday, September 13, with tributes to be paid to the queen at grounds around the country.
The statement read: “A minute’s silence will be held before matches, with black armbands to be worn by participants, flags to be flown at half-mast and the National Anthem to be played in stadiums.”
After the announcement was made, McClean took to social media today to express his own views.
In a message on Instagram, he said: “Unless you are a nationalist that was born and raised in Derry or anywhere else in the north of Ireland then don’t assume or speak on our behalf unless you can relate i.e. Miguel Delaney.”
James McClean Armband
Ireland midfielder James McClean has worn a black armband alongside the rest of his Wigan team-mates in their pre-match commemoration of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Derry-born winger was pictured with his head bowed, but standing apart from his Wigan team-mates, during a minute’s silence ahead of the Latics’ Championship match against Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.
The commemoration was repeated in every English football ground that hosted tonight’s EFL games as well as Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Dutch side Ajax at Anfield.
McClean wore the armband over his long-sleeved black jersey for the game in which his fellow Irish international Will Keane put Wigan ahead through a 23rd minute penalty.
McClean appeared to change his jersey at half-time and it was unclear whether he wore the armband for the second half.
Spitting
With Football League sides taking part in a minute’s silence before kick-off on Tuesday, one social media snap showed McClean splitting from his team-mates, which didn’t tell the full story.
Another angle showed McLean bowing his head while wearing the black armband of remembrance, with the alternate photos gaining differing reactions online.
One Twitter user wrote: “Oh James McClean…” With a second adding: “Yet he’s more than happy to take a salary from an English club?”
However, the majority of fans didn’t see the problem, with one writing: “I’ve never been a James McClean fan but the guy is standing silent during a minute silence. What’s the issue?”
And another adding: “No issue there whatsoever. People can have their own opinions and beliefs while still being respectful to the situation, fair man.”
And a third agreeing: “No issue with someone standing quietly during this. It’s better than disrespecting the moment entirely.”