James McClean has refused to apologise for saluting Wrexham fans' anti-monarchy chants, insisting he sang along "at the top of my lungs".
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McClean refuses to apologise for anti-monarchy songSays he sang along wholeheartedlySeveral royals have visited resurgent clubWHAT HAPPENED?
Amid the delirious celebrations after Wrexham clinched promotion to League One on Saturday, fan-favourite McClean was serenaded by supporters with a chant ending with the line: "And he hates the f*cking King."
The scene sparked a backlash in some sections of the British press but the Republic of Ireland international, known for his strident political views, insists he was more than willing to go along with the song and in fact joined in.
AdvertisementWHAT JAMES MCCLEAN SAID
Quoting a media story about the chants, McClean posted on Instagram: "Is this correct? Absolutely and I also sang at the top of my lungs.
"Do I make any apologies for doing so? Absolutely not."
Instagram @macajwTHE BIGGER PICTURE
McClean's views, including his refusal to wear a remembrance poppy due to the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre in his native city of Derry, regularly attract criticism in the press and the ire of opposing fans.
The winger has become popular with Wrexham fans who have incorporated McClean's anti-monarchy views into a terrace chant. Among others in the Wrexham dressing room who have expressed opposition to the British royal family is striker Paul Mullin, who revealed in his autobiography that he is not in favour of the monarchy and was irritated that the club delayed travel for an away game to accommodate King Charles III and the Queen consort Camilla when they visited the Racecourse in December.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
It remains to be seen if owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney decide to have a quiet word with McClean but political differences are unlikely to take away from the feel-good factor as Wrexham finish off a triumphant season with fixtures against Crewe and Stockport before a well-earned summer break.