Former Republic of Ireland international James McClean has been given special dispensation to flaunt the EFL’s rule that players must leave the pitch by the nearest point when substituted after he was targeted by rival supporters in the wake of his decision not to wear a poppy on his shirt.
The EFL has written to all of its clubs to inform them that the Londonderry man, who is famously outspoken about not recognising Remembrance Day, must instead leave the pitch by the nearest route to the tunnel after a series of incidents where missiles were thrown at him.
Most recently, the 35-year-old former Wigan, Stoke and Sunderland man had a cup of Bovril thrown at him in a game against Birmingham City, with clubs fined in the past as a result.
But now McClean will be allowed to come off the pitch as close to the tunnel as possible to avoid further incidents, which is against the EFL’s general rule that players must leave the pitch by the nearest point to them, regardless of where they are on the field.
In a message to club safety officers, which was first reported on by Mail Sport, the EFL wrote: “You will be aware that James McClean is often on the receiving end of abuse from some sections of support.
“This has, in the past, resulted in FA sanctions against the Club due to the chanting becoming racially, or religiously motivated and therefore, classed as a hate crime. Missiles have also been thrown.
“It has now been agreed that on occasions in the future when Mr McClean has to leave the field of play, for whatever reason, he will leave by the shortest route towards the tunnel. This process will help to reduce these incidents and also help to manage Mr McClean’s departure from the pitch without incident.”
Safety officers will be permitted to the same process should other players face similar issues.
McClean stood separately from Wrexham and Mansfield players observing a minute of silence as he refused to wear a poppy on the weekend of Remembrance Day fixtures earlier this month, which has seen him targeted by fans who see it as a snub to forces members who lost their lives in combat.
McClean has previously said he chooses not to wear a poppy because he feels it shows disrespect to people who died during the Troubles in his home nation, but has said he would wear a poppy if it was only used to remember those who died in either World War.
This follows videos of the former Irish international encouraging Wrexham fans to continue singing an anti-monarchy song in the wake of the club’s promotion from League Two in April.