Ireland midfielder James McClean stood separate from his Wigan teammates during their pre-match one-minute silence to remember Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
Before the match on Tuesday night, September 14, there was speculation about whether the Republic of Ireland international would wear the black armband because he has previously declined to participate in gestures by refusing to wear shirts with the remembrance poppy sign.
Earlier this week, he said of potential tributes to the Queen, “Unless you are a nationalist born and bred in Derry or anywhere else in the north of Ireland, don’t assume or speak on our behalf unless you can relate.”
During the minute of silence, though, the 33-year-old stood apart from his teammates, who joined arms. He later posted photographs on Instagram of an Irish boxer calling him a “legend” for his position of segregation.
During a minute’s silence ahead of Wigan Athletic’s Championship match against Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium, the Derry-born winger was photographed with his head bowed but standing apart from his teammates.
Every English football ground that hosted tonight’s EFL games, as well as Liverpool’s Champions League meeting with Dutch side Ajax at Anfield, witnessed the commemoration.
