Matic’s kit on Saturday did not feature a poppy
You may have heard that James McClean chooses not to wear a Remembrance Day poppy on his jersey. This doesn’t cause the Earth to spin off its axis, but it has made news at the start of every November since 2012.
Most people respect his right to exercise free speech. Many others cannot understand why it is still a talking point after so many years. While there is still a minority who aren’t as tolerant and refuse to accept McClean’s stance.
Another player in English football chose not to wear the poppy on Saturday afternoon. However, there wasn’t quite the same reaction.
Nemanja Matic chose not to wear the poppy on his jersey during Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Bournemouth.
The Serbian midfielder, who has worn the symbol on his jersey in the past, was the only United player who did not wear the poppy during the game.
Matic hasn’t commented on why he chose not to wear it, and he doesn’t have to comment on the decision either. It’s his choice and he’s perfectly entitled to it.
According to a report in the Mail on Sunday, Matic didn’t wear it for “personal reasons.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpuQkxdFtvb/
The sight of him not wearing the poppy left many to wonder if he would receive a similar backlash from those who take issue with McClean’s stance.
Huge difference to the reaction to Nemanja Matic not poppy compared to James McClean isn't there?
— Jonathan Higgins (@Jhiggins3) November 3, 2018
No poppy for matic. I'm sure he'll be treated the same way @JamesMcC_14 about it pic.twitter.com/bpkD066ZOu
— Marc richardson (@jammz276) November 3, 2018
In an Instagram post on Saturday night, McClean addressed those who booed and heckled him earlier in the day when Stoke played Middlesbrough at the bet365 Stadium.
He wrote:
“‘They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn’t want to be broken’.
“Your abuse, your throwing things, your booing, do your worst. To the home fans that are actually educated and support me, thank you. To the section of uneducated cavemen in the left hand corner of the Boothen End Stand that want to song their Anti-Irish songs each game and call me a Fenian this and that, I am a PROUD FENIAN. No c**t will ever change that, so sing away.”
