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Football

11th Mar 2019

QPR launch investigation into video of fans abusing James McClean

Footage of a section of QPR fans taunting McClean hit social media on Saturday

Darragh Murphy

James McClean gets more abuse than most footballers.

McClean did not comment on his experience with a small section of Queen’s Park Rangers supporters last weekend apart from noting the “tough conditions” at Loftus Road.

The Stoke City winger may well have been referring to the blustery conditions or he could have been referring to the abuse he suffered at the hands of some QPR fans.

McClean was jeered for his decision not to wear a poppy every November and footage of the incident was circulated on social media on Saturday night.

https://twitter.com/Jase2103/status/1104431902012964864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1104431902012964864&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsjoe.ie%2Ffootball%2Fjames-mcclean-faces-poppy-abusers-head-qpr-195592

Two days removed from the 0-0 draw, QPR have released a statement to confirm that they have opened an investigation in the hope of identifying the offenders.

A statement from QPR read: “Queens Park Rangers Football Club is aware of a video circulating on social media showing a section of individuals abusing James McClean during our Championship fixture with Stoke City on Saturday, March 9.

“The club wholly condemns such abuse and an internal investigation is now under way as we seek to identify those involved.

“The club will be making no further comment at this time.”

McClean seemingly decided against commenting on the incident specifically, having faced an FA investigation last year for social media posts, one of which branded abusive supporters “uneducated cavemen” for their treatment of him.

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