Controversial Wrexham star James McClean has labelled a Birmingham City fan a “fat, smelly idiot” after the defender caught a cup of Bovril that was thrown at him during Monday’s tight League One clash.
The 35-year-old also referenced a notorious saying in another fight-focused Instagram post made earlier by IRA fighter Bobby Sands, who died during a hunger strike at HM Maze prison.
The Republic of Ireland international is a divisive figure in professional football, having previously issued calls for a united Ireland, refusing to wear a poppy as is tradition at November matches and once posing IRA-style in a balaclava in front of his children for a “school history lesson”.
In an earlier incident, McClean also greeted Wrexham fans who chanted “hate the f***ing King” just weeks after Prince William was presented with a shirt at the club’s stadium.
Meanwhile, A-list celebrities descended on St Andrew’s for Monday’s clash as Birmingham co-owner and NFL legend Tom Brady joined David Beckham for the third-tier game.
James McClean (right) was involved in several conflicting moments during Wrexham’s defeat to Birmingham.
McClean caught a drink thrown at him by Birmingham fans in the stands.
The hosts eventually pulled off a stunning comeback as goals from record signing Jay Stansfield turned the game around and Birmingham sealed a memorable 3-1 victory.
Londonderry-born McClean has a history of heckling opposition supporters and was greeted with boos as he left the field with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Despite trailing in the match, McClean attempted to rile up opposing fans by gesturing in their direction as he walked along the edge of the pitch after being substituted.
An angry punter then decided to throw a glass of Bovril at McClean and was left reeling as the defender displayed his reactions by catching the glass with one hand as he walked behind goal.
The former Premier League star then pretended to take a sip before putting the drink aside and continuing to walk towards the bench while interacting with opposition supporters.
He later hit out at the Birmingham fan in a social media post reflecting on the incident, saying: “To be fair to this fat, smelly ham, he probably didn’t have the energy or mobility to get over the sign.”
McClean also shared another post on Instagram quoting IRA fighter Sands, who said: “They have nothing in their entire imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of an Irishman who does not want to be broken.”
He also added: “Ps. Well done to the old admin who stopped everyone from getting over the 2ft billboard.”
McClean later responded to the incident with a strongly worded post on social media.
McClean shared an infamous saying from a former IRA fighter in another post on his Instagram.
The drink is believed to have been thrown at McClean after he attempted to rile up rival fans by slapping his thigh to reveal a tattoo reading “Free Derry” in relation to his birthplace in Northern Ireland.
The tattoo refers to the area that was a self-proclaimed autonomous Irish nationalist zone of the city during the Troubles that ravaged the country.
McClean previously revealed that she does not wear the poppy because of the historic incident in Londonderry, where British soldiers shot dead 26 unarmed civilians and is known as Bloody Sunday.
Last September, McClean admitted he regretted posting a controversial photo of himself during lockdown homeschooling his children “jokingly” while wearing a balaclava, which was interpreted as a reference to the IRA.
McClean pretended to take a sip of the drink before throwing it off the pitch as he was substituted.
McClean also attempted to rile up opposing fans by slapping his thigh to reveal his “Free Derry” tattoo.
McClean was also the only Wrexham player to be booked during the defeat which keeps them top of the table on goal difference.
Meanwhile, there was a celebrity roster in the Midlands as Brady and Beckham were also joined by Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney in the stands.
Serial Super Bowl champion Brady is attempting to integrate into English football after investing in Birmingham and was taunted with a pornographic chant by Wrexham fans throughout the game.
Brady greeted the Wrexham supporters by pointing at them once he heard the chant and was in good spirits throughout the match as Birmingham closed in on Monday’s opponents at the top of the table.
