James McClean Ireland twitter threats from racists & bigots

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James McClean has closed his Twitter account after receiving death threats following his selection for the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2012 finals squad.
Derry born James McClean a winger for Sunderland made the move after he was sent a message saying he "deserved to be shot" for opting to play for the Republic rather than Northern Ireland.

McClean was the subject of abuse earlier this season when he announced his decision, which is allowed under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
Reuters
Sunderland winger James McClean's sparkling form in the second half of this season earned him an Ireland call for Euro 2012 when coach Giovanni Trapattoni named his 23-man squad on Monday. Euro 2012 James McClean, 23.

The day James McClean gets his Ireland call up to the Euro 2012 squad. He gets threats from online British loyalists.
McClean wings way into Ireland's Euro 2012 squad
Sadly typical of these so called British soccer loyalists who live in Ireland. They still live under the illusion they can intimidate the Irish, convince the Irish to be British by intimidation and threats.
Those idiots have not worked out, that the Irish do not want to be British, never did and never will.
Nothing personal of course, but seriously - if the Irish wanted to appear as some one else, they would choose a stylish attractive identity. The Italian, French or Brazilian (most of them) alternative, to name but a few, are ever so slightly more appealing than Mr Bean.

These Orange bigots are a contrary joke, if they love England so much and are so loyal, it is about time the neanderthals in the North went and lived in Britain.
The ferrys are cheap enough, no one is forcing you to stay in Ireland, or is going to miss your funny walks.
I doubt the English would welcome the Orange bigots and lunatics, who pretend they are Christians.

BBC Report on racist & sectarian threats to James McClean.
James McClean has been subjected to sectarian abuse after being named in the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2012 squad.

Some of the messages directed at the Derry man on Twitter also contained threats.

The 23-year-old winger, who plays for Sunderland in the Premier League, discovered on Monday that he had been included in Giovanni Trapattoni's team for next month's finals.

He said he was thrilled at the call-up.

McClean tweeted: "Absolutely honoured and couldn't be happier to have been called up to represent my country at the Euros. No better feeling."

He later told the Mail: "To be called up to represent Ireland has always been a personal dream of mine and to be associated with players who I have watched myself is very special.

"I can't wait to join up with the squad and start to focus on the Championships."
Irish Community Images

His news was met with messages of congratulations, but also some posts containing sectarian abuse and threats to kill.

Some of the messages have since been deleted.

One fan tweeted in response: "The sectarian and discriminatory abuse James McClean is taking off confused NI fans is simply a disgrace."
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

We need to unite behind players who are going to lay their bodies on the line”

Conall McDevitt SDLP

Another said: "Just heard that James McClean is in the Irish euro 2012 squad. Good lad, he deserves it."

McClean, who carries an Irish passport, made a general response following the abuse on Twitter.

He tweeted: "Love the dogs' abuse am gettin off shock N.I fans, just worry about watchin ur own country at the euros... oh wait #mybad #awkward haha."

East Derry MP Gregory Campbell said it was "reprehensible that anybody's life is threatened by whatever decisions they take".

"Hopefully we can get beyond that and get on with the tournament and people can support whatever team they feel comfortable supporting," he said.

SDLP assembly member Conall McDevitt also condemned the threats saying proper football fans would not condone them.

"Football is one of the most amazing sports in the world. We need to unite behind players who are going to lay their bodies on the line... and not think about the politics."

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "We don't discuss individual cases, however, if we receive information that a person's life may be at risk we will inform them accordingly. We never ignore anything which may put an individual at risk."

McClean has previously been the target of abuse from unhappy Northern Ireland fans since he declared for the Republic, having been brought through the ranks by the Irish Football Association.

He made a massive impression in his first season at Sunderland and made his senior debut for the Republic in February.

The former Derry City player received a huge ovation when he came on as a substitute against the Czech Republic.

The Republic will continue their preparations for this summer's tournament in Poland and Ukraine by playing friendlies against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday 26 May and Denmark two days later.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17987182

James McClean is a exciting Irish footballer. So say all of us.
Ray Houghton: McClean's inclusion in Euro 2012 squad is justified
Former Republic of Ireland international Ray Houghton believes James McClean could force his way in Giovanni Trapattoni's starting XI for the opening Euro 2012 game with Croatia. McClean was named in the 23-man squad on Monday after a fantastic season ...

McClean makes the Ireland soccer squad for Euro 2012
Irish Examiner -
By Liam Mackey When the Ireland manager rang James McClean yesterday morning, he identified himself straight off just to make sure that the Sunderland man didn't think he was the victim of a dressing room prankster.

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James McClean Ireland twitter threats from racists & bigots