James McClean has been fined two weeks' wages by Stoke City and agreed to delete his Instagram account after posting an offensive picture of himself home schooling his children in a balaclava.
The image, which was accompanied by a caption that read 'today's school lesson – history' and laughing emojis, was interpreted as a reference to the IRA.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed that McClean faced a dressing down from his club after posting the image yesterday.
The Championship club announced that McClean had been punished over his actions, saying: 'Stoke City can confirm that, following an internal disciplinary review, disciplinary action has been taken against James McClean for an inappropriate social media post.
'McClean has been fined two weeks' wages by the club and has also agreed to delete his Instagram account.
'The player has expressed contrition and recognises that the post was ill advised and offensive.'
McClean also apologised for the photo which was taken as he taught his two young children at home during the coronavirus lockdown.
He said: 'I never wanted to cause any offence but I now realise that I did so and for that I apologise unreservedly. I have spoken to the club and will be deleting my Instagram account.'
McClean has caused controversy before over his stance on the Northern Ireland issue and refusal to wear a remembrance poppy.
The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland winger was born in Derry and raised on the Creggan estate where six of the people killed on Bloody Sunday in 1972 came from. His manager at Stoke, Michael O'Neill, is also the Northern Ireland coach.
Keerzerg
1
Pressured into apologising...
I see no other outcome for something like this, lest he wants to lose his contract with his current team and be banned from playing for a year or so
Keerzerg
0
He can say what he wants it’s meant to be a free country, freedom of speech. Democracy... The fa have no right to interfere outside of football.. public schoolboy wankers...
That’s the point, when you’re a celebrity, you cannot say “what you want”. Even if you, as a celebrity, feel it’s your right to do so, the impact your opinions and behaviors have in society are such that media, managers, and all those around will always shun you for behaving badly and poorly. Imaging Messi making a joke about 9/11... or CR7 saying one day he hates vegetarians. Even if it’s their right to do so, they will not get laughs and understanding in return. They’ll be pointed at and judged for doing so.
Eiegooners76
0
Prove what exactly? He already said he agrees it’s offensive... There’s a saying that goes: Don’t do good things that appear to be bad... He’s a somewhat famous player, he should know better
Pressured into apologising...
Eiegooners76
0
Prove what exactly? He already said he agrees it’s offensive... There’s a saying that goes: Don’t do good things that appear to be bad... He’s a somewhat famous player, he should know better
He can say what he wants it’s meant to be a free country, freedom of speech. Democracy... The fa have no right to interfere outside of football.. public schoolboy wankers...
Keerzerg
0
They said it was interpreted, that’s means there’s no proof.. This fucking country is getting worse with its political correctness... If I was him I would say prove it either wise FUCK OFF !!
Prove what exactly? He already said he agrees it’s offensive... There’s a saying that goes: Don’t do good things that appear to be bad... He’s a somewhat famous player, he should know better
Eiegooners76
4
They said it was interpreted, that’s means there’s no proof.. This fucking country is getting worse with its political correctness... If I was him I would say prove it either wise FUCK OFF !!
wucdilnz
2
Oo aa up the ra
Ameerul24
0
yooo wth