Pages

Welcome, 77 artists, 40 different points of Attica welcomes you by singing Erotokritos an epic romance written at 1713 by Vitsentzos Kornaros

Sunday, November 11, 2012

James McClean's decision not to wear poppy was his own, say Sunderland

• McClean did not wear one on jersey during defeat to Everton
• 'It was James' personal choice,' says Sunderland statement

Sunderland have confirmed that James McClean's decision not to wear a Remembrance Day poppy on his shirt was a personal one.

The Northern Ireland-born Republic of Ireland international was included in the team which started Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Everton but did not wear the same shirt as the rest of his team-mates. But the club have insisted the decision was McClean's alone.

A statement said: "As a club, SAFC wholeheartedly supports the Remembrance commemorations. It was James' personal choice not to wear a shirt on this occasion."

The 23-year-old's decision sparked a flurry of Twitter activity, with some users condemning him and others coming out in support of his right to choose. McClean is due to meet up with his Republic team-mates for Wednesday night's friendly against Greece in Dublin on Sunday.


guardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.guardian.co.uk