Trappatoni Defends McClean's Poppy Stance

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has defended L’Derry footballer James McClean’s decision not to wear a poppy during Sunderland’s defeat to Everton on Saturday.

McClean’s decision not to wear the specially designed jersey with a sewn-in poppy received plenty of outrage on social networking sites.

But the Republic manager said the 23-year-old was entitled not to wear one.

"This is his choice, the mentality, the habit," he said.

"I think it's a personal choice and obviously I will defend the player. Maybe it's not over until now, the situation with the Irish people, the north and south people."

"Players are young, they are kids," he continued. "I am sure in five to 10 years, they become old, they will have more experience in life and can think more about every situation."

L’Derry Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney condemned the criticism of McClean on social networking sites.

"No person, in any walk of life, should be forced to wear any symbol," he said.

"That includes the red poppy, symbol of the Royal British Legion. Neither should any disrespect be read into a person’s decision to wear such a symbol.

"It appears that James McClean is now the subject of a witch-hunt on social media for his choice not to wear a poppy on his shirt when playing for Sunderland today.

"This 'poppy bullying' culture raises its head at this time every year."

McClean was brought up on the Creggan Estate, close to the site of the Bloody Sunday massacre in which 14 civilians were shot by British soldiers during a civil rights march in 1972.

(IT/GK)