The footballer McClean used his Instagram account to address a newspaper report about his actions, asserting that the report was accurate and unapologetically confirming that he had behaved as reported. McClean, known for his public disapproval of the monarchy, has previously declined to wear a Remembrance Day poppy on his shirts, citing the historical context of the events in his hometown of Derry, specifically the 1972 Bloody Sunday incident. Following a recent visit by Prince William to the Racecourse Ground, during which he met with the club’s staff and players, attention turned to McClean’s actions.
The EFL and Wrexham have not yet commented on the situation. In December 2022, King Charles and Queen Camilla met with Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham’s stadium, an event featured in the Disney+ documentary Welcome To Wrexham. The possibility of the EFL taking action against McClean for his behavior is currently under consideration.
In September 2022, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, anti-monarchy sentiments in football became a prevalent issue, prompting clubs to observe a minute’s silence before subsequent fixtures. The question now arises whether the EFL will impose sanctions on McClean for his actions.