After almost a decade of racist/sectarian abuse English football finally recognised and confronted the treatment of James McClean.
The Irishman has been the outlet of abuse at Sunderland, Wigan and Stoke with little attention given to his suffering while issues of homophobia and racism against others has been recognised and challenged.
At the recent Spurs v Chelsea fixture the aftermath of the game was dominated by reports of racist abuse of Antonio Rudiger.
Yesterday the spotlight turned to the Championship where Stoke, with McClean in top form won 5-2 away to Huddersfield Town.
The Irish Independent reports:
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN are to launch an investigation after Irish international James McClean was targeted by their supporters during Stoke City’s victory today.
The second half was briefly halted by a tannoy announcement at the John Smith’s Stadium saying “racist chanting is affecting the game and will not be tolerated”, with McClean immediately applauding the announcement.
Referee James Linington spoke to both managers before the announcement and, afterwards, Stoke boss Michael O’Neill insists those responsible need to be punished while backing McClean to continue his recent run of good form.
“Things are said when James goes and takes a corner, home or away,” said O’Neill. “It’s clear that the things that were said were of a sectarian nature and there’s no need for that in any stadium.
“James is a player who’s particularly targeted for this and has been consistently. It will not affect James. James is mentally tough, there’s no doubt about that, and he’s got a thick skin.
“People have to be held accountable for their behaviour when they come to a stadium. It’s not something we want to be consistently talking about – sectarianism or racism or whatever.
“We want to be talking about the game because there was seven goals here,” added O’Neill after the 5-2 victory which lifted Stoke out of the relegation zone.
Like the introduction of VAR and Financial Fair Play there seems little appetite in Scottish football to deal with racism.
Before the kick-off at Sunday’s Glasgow derby the song ‘Billy Boys’ was clearly heard from the area hosting 800 away supporters. There has been no comment on the issue by the SFA, SPFL or either club.
In 2006 UEFA banned singing of The Billy Boys, no action has ever been taken on the issue by any Scottish football authority.
After being struck by a coin at Tynecastle in October 2018 Neil Lennon spoke out about anti-Irish racism, no action was taken.
2 minutes ‘You call it sectarian here in Scotland, I call it racism’