TONY PULIS HAD words with James McClean after the West Brom winger snubbed the English national anthem before Saturday’s friendly against Charleston Battery.
Republic of Ireland international McClean turned away from the flag of St George and bowed his head during a rendition of ‘God Save The Queen’ prior to Albion’s 2-1 victory in South Carolina.
The 26-year-old from Derry, who refused to wear a poppy on his kit during his time at Sunderland and Wigan Athletic, has come in for criticism for his actions and head coach Pulis has reminded his recent recruit of his responsibilities.
“I didn’t see the situation but I had a chat with him and explained what we do as a football club and the way we are and I think he’s fine with everything,” Pulis told the club’s official website.
“We’ve got Northern Ireland lads in the squad and he’s been absolutely fantastic with them, and the way he’s mixed and integrated with the group has been brilliant.
“I’ve seen the pictures and he’s got to turn towards the flag like everybody else has and he recognises that.
“He thought he was OK to close his eyes and put his head down in respect of both anthems. The trouble is he’s got to face the flag.”
Pulis is hoping McClean will now avoid further controversy as he settles into his new surroundings following his move from Wigan last month.
He added: “Obviously there has been a stigma around him and he doesn’t need to start that up again. “So hopefully we’ve nipped it in the bud and we can get on with our things and he can get on with his things.”
Why are they playing anthems for club football? I’d understand the fuss if he had been picked to play for England but it is a bit silly playing anthema for club games.
In fairness, West Brom were playing a game on American soil so the hosts probably thought it was a nice touch to play their country’s anthem. If an Irish club were ever to do the same we’d be complimentary. And how would you feel if an English player playing for an Irish club (yet again) felt compelled to make a political statement? James McClean just can’t help himself. He might be delighted with all the pats on the back from his mates in the Bogside but he looks like a misguided fool to many. The funny thing is that he was born in 1989, the lad doesn’t have a clue about the troubles. He couldn’t suck it up just once and not look for attention which he knew well would come his way.
It’s just Britain. They honestly play God save the Queen at every opportunity, I heard it being played on family fortunes ffs
If they played the anthem in Premier League matches, it would help get Irish fans to support the League of Ireland!
Ha ha! I doubt they’d bat an eyelid though!
I remember meeting a pal of mine in Cork City in the late 90′s. He lived in a Blackpool an area where there would have been plenty of republican sympathy at the time. It was all Ireland semi final day and I tried to get him to come in to town with me to watch the game.
No luck though, that monumental event, the Charity Shield was also on. My abiding memory was saying good luck to him as he joined the locals in the packed Quinlan’s Bar in Blackpool. The doors were open and the TV was on full blast and “God Save the Queen” blared out over the northside of Cork City. I don’t think anyone noticed, they certainly weren’t bothered.
Meanwhile I struggled to find a bar showing the All Ireland semi final! Cork weren’t playing but still. This belief that the world revolves around Man U, Liverpool etc is ingrained in the irish DNA now. I’d say if the English Premier League insisted on a pause to play God Save the Queen every 5 minutes they couldn’t rid themselves of their “Irish” fans.
Did u not have a TV at home?
Chances are also Keane and Irwin were involved in that game if it was late 90s and considering Cork weren’t playing in GAA match that might be the reason why..
It would make no difference if the were involved or not. The Irish connection is being exposed as an excuse now that it doesn’t exist any more at the top clubs.
If Man U fielded 11 English men against another club with 11 Irish men, who would the Irish Man U fan shout for?? Man U all the way, the Irish factor barely registers.
You were in North Cork in the late 90s Roy Keane was captain of Man Utd that makes a big difference..
Irish players turn and face the flag in the Aviva during Amhrann na Bhfiann, are the opposition expected to as well? I’ve seen teams in Croke Park not face the tricolour, no outrage? Head down and eyes closed is a mark of respect, just not the traditional one. I’m not McClean’s biggest fan, but this is a ridiculous storm in a teacup.
you don’t seem to get it Rob. the Americans played the National Anthem of the country where WBA are from. McLean plays for WBA. The examples you are quoting are when members of the opposition don’t respect the Anthem. a completely different thing altogether.
My point is that they’re not disrespecting the anthem, it’s not their anthem so they politely acknowledge it rather than facing the flag and belting it out. McClean did the same thing.
playing the anthem was very strange, the world is too full of yes men, I don’t agree with disagreement for the sake of it but clearly he feels strongly about it and nobody should be forced to respect any anthem if they don’t want to
I do see where he’s coming from but he could make it less obvious. Maybe face the flag but keep his head down.
He shouldn’t play for English club really I mean I agree with and Understand James’s reasons but it’s keep popping up at him.. Also if some English player was playing in Ireland and doing the same we wouldn’t want him here.. Finally what i would say is why are they having the national anthem played before friendly games especially since most EPL teams are made up of foreigners..
I’m genuinely confused about this one – so can I ask all those who feel strongly that he was right to do something which he must have known some would find disrespectful – if that is how you feel about a nation, how can you live, earn, bring up kids etc there? It’s not like he wouldn’t have a significant need of other options.
As an EU citizen he is free to work wherever he wishes in Europe and maintain his own national identity without the need to apply for or meet the conditions for UK citizenship. There is no reason why he should be expected to stand to attention to the UK national anthem while at work. Why force your anthem on someone who doesnt want to be a citizen of your country?
Ok thanks – but he doesn’t have to become citizen. And I agree no
One should have to listen to the anthem
Of the country you work in every day. The question is though, as you say, he can choose to live anywhere, but why choose to live in a country you have no respect for?
I understood (after his letter) his poppy views and don’t agree that people should have to wear any political symbol. . But Like I said I genuinely struggle with this one.
What are talking about? Just because you dont want to face a flag that doesnt represent you and stand to attention for an anthem that means nothing to you doesnt mean you dont respect that that country. Why should he have to be force fed the anthem if he isnt British.
I lived in England for a while and I didn’t and still don’t respect the anthem or the royal family, they are an anachronistic affront to modern meritocracy. plenty of my English friends think the same. they are an inbred pack of self preserving magpies, who got rid of their German name in WW 1 and did a bunk during world war 2. I wouldn’t have respected the apartheid era south African anthem either for example
Augustus I don’t fully understand your query either, so you think everyone who works in England should agree with the concept of royalty and sing out the royal anthem? if McLean wanted to make a decent living out of soccer he was actually very limited in where he could go. the continental leagues don’t value strong running wingers of McLean’s ilk. and Ireland doesn’t have sufficient full time football. besides England is a good country to do well in but that still doesn’t mean that a lot of atrocities weren’t perpetrated against McLean’s community in the name of the queen
God save our James McClean/Long live our James McClean/God save McClean/Send us victorious/His tricks are glorious/Long to score goals for us/God save McClean.”
The guy is under contract to play football not to turn and face a flag.
It’s probably done and dusted now -Pulis doesn’t take much guff from his players
I wonder would he make a fool of us if we got England in a qualifier. Even the Poles stood for the German anthem at the world cup.
If he had just stood there like the rest of his team-mates and not done anything out of the ordinary then absolutely no one would have noticed anything different. It wouldn’t be an issue. No one asked him to clap or cheer for it.
I understand where he’s coming from given his background, etc, but plenty of Irish sportspeople from a nationalist background have had to stand for that anthem over the years. What makes him so special?
Be interesting if he played in a FA cup final what would he do if William was shaking the players hands.. I can’t see him ever playing in one anyway will never be in a team good enough to get a chance..
Also we do expect unionists to respect Amhrain na bhfiain when they play for Ireland at home in the rugby (and would be disgusted if they took steps to show they did not respect it).
I don’t expect unionists to do anything. sure didn’t we have to come up with a pc anthem for them anyway that is truly terrible. Ulster unionists routinely have stood away from the rest of the team and refused to acknowledge amhrain na bhfiain throughout the years
Maybe he should think of plying his trade in another country get away from the bullshit that surrounds the poppy fascists and that craic and it may actually improve his game to play in one of Europe’s top league if a team wanted to sign him.
Eh he’s shite! Wouldn’t get a look in in any of Europe’s top leagues. Be realistic here!
Black guys in his team lived in English citys when they faced bombing from the ira don’t hear them bringing up the past? Is it only white people he has a problem with
What you waffling on about there sonny?
What a bizarre conclusion to come to.
McClean has his views and beliefs. The footballing world are aware of these and should respect them. Fair play to a lad who stands for what he believes.
He’s is right to stand up for what he believes in. He was brought up in the height of the troubles in Derry and more than likely he has seen family members and friends killed by the British. He doesn’t have to face any flag if he doesn’t want to, be it irish, English or otherwise.
no he doesn’t
James is a martyr to the cause. Why he needs to do this though is only for him to decide. What he has ended up doing though is entering a political arena when really he is only a footballer. Maybe he should change his profession to politics. Unfortunately this may put his career in serious jeopardy and this act of defiance will have absolutely no impact on anyone but himself. So why bother. I do see his logic with the wearing of the poppy and would support him on this one however standing or not for a national anthem doesn’t make sense. Maybe he could turn his back on the Bosnia anthem in support of szebrenica next time the Republic play them or turn his back on the German flag after their contribution to the Second World War. Where do you stop? My suggestion is look after yourself James. There are many out there very willing to exploit your every move.