Why James McClean has been given permission to flout EFL rule in leaked document
Wrexham winger James McClean has received abuse over his anti-poppy stance and the EFL have written to clubs giving him permission to flout one of their rules as a result
by Matthew Cooper · The MirrorWrexham star James McClean has been given special dispensation by the EFL to take the shortest route to the tunnel when leaving the pitch in a bid to avoid abuse from rival fans.
A rule change ahead of the 2019/20 season required players to leave the pitch at the nearest point to them when they are being substituted in an attempt to crack down on timewasting, but McClean will not have to adhere to that rule going forward.
The former Republic of Ireland international refuses to wear a poppy on his shirt and has been targeted by fans over his stance. Most recently, McClean had a cup of Bovril thrown at him after he was substituted during Wrexham's 3-1 defeat to League One rivals Birmingham.
As a result, Wrexham have been in talks with both the EFL and the PGMOL over what they can do to protect McClean and the EFL have now written to all of its clubs to inform them of the change.
According to the Daily Mail, the letter reads: "You will be aware that James McClean is often on the receiving end of abuse from some sections of support. This has, in the past, resulted in FA sanctions against the Club due to the chanting becoming racially, or religiously motivated and therefore, classed as a hate crime.
"Missiles have also been thrown. It has now been agreed that on occasions in the future when Mr McClean has to leave the field of play, for whatever reason, he will leave by the shortest route towards the tunnel.
"This process will help to reduce these incidents and also help to manage Mr McClean's departure from the pitch without incident."
McClean has previously explained his stance over the poppy, writing in the West Brom programme in 2015: "People say I am being disrespectful but don't ask why I choose not to wear it. If the poppy was simply about World War One and Two victims alone, I'd wear it without a problem.
"I would wear it every day of the year if that was the thing but it doesn't. It stands for all the conflicts that Britain has been involved in. Because of the history where I come from in Derry, I cannot wear something that represents that."
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