STOKE CITY HAVE reiterated their support for James McClean as the Republic of Ireland international continues to contend with sectarian abuse.
Last week, the Football Association charged Barnsley for failing to ensure that their fans “conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using abusive and/or insulting words” during the Championship game between the clubs in November.
On New Year’s Day, the fixture between Huddersfield Town and Stoke City had to be paused momentarily when McClean reported abuse to the referee. Fans were then warned that “offensive behaviour is affecting the game and will not be tolerated” by a tannoy announcement.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Stoke City urged supporters to report incidents of “discriminatory or abusive chanting” while expressing their support for the 30-year-old winger.
“At recent fixtures, opposition fans have sadly targeted James McClean with vile anti-social chanting leading to the FA issuing charges against one club,” the statement reads.
“Stoke City wish to reiterate their continued support for James. We believe the chanting to be discriminatory and, like any other hate crime, there is no place for it in society and the perpetrators should be held accountable.