James McClean has said that he has no regrets for joining in on an anti-monarchy chant on Saturday during Wrexham’s promotion festivities.
While strolling across the ground with his family, McClean was serenaded by the Wrexham supporters following Forest Green Rovers’ 6-0 victory, which guaranteed him promotion to League One.
“He hates the f***ing king” is the words of the song in question. McClean was seen soaking up the praise as his son received a reprimand for trying to join in.
Anyone familiar with McClean’s political views will know this is nothing new, but the Daily Mail noticed the video and ran the following headline: “Controversial Irish Wrexham star James McClean salutes fans singing ‘he hates the f***ing King’, weeks after Ryan Reynolds’ team invited Prince William to their stadium.”
James McClean responds to Daily Mail article
Wrexham’s rise has attracted plenty of public attention in recent times, so it’s no surprise that they would invite a member of the British royal family to their ground in the name of PR.
That has nothing to do with McClean though, whose stance on the UK establishment has been public knowledge since the beginning of his career.
On Tuesday, the Ireland centurion issued a response to the Daily Mail article to clarify the situation in the only way he knows how.
“Is this correct?” posted McClean on his Instagram Stories, alongside a screenshot of the article. “Absolutely and I also sang along at the top of my lungs. Do I make any apologies for doing so? Absolutely not.”
McClean stands firm in face of criticism
The Mail have since produced another story about McClean’s response but he continues to stand firm in the face of English media trying to bring him down, even if the he will likely face more vitriol from his usual abusers
The Derryman certainly enjoyed himself over the weekend, blasting The Fields of Athenry in the Wrexham dressing room as he toasted promotion with his teammates.
He’s clearly a popular man in the dressing room and among the Wrexham fanbase, despite the Mail’s insistence on portraying him as a villain.
