Sunderland have restated their zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination after former player James McClean alleged he was the target of sectarian abuse at the weekend. Derry-born McClean, who spent two years with the Black Cats between 2011 and 2013, was back on Wearside on Saturday as his current club Wigan Athletic was beaten 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.
And following the game the 33-year-old Republic of Ireland international took to Instagram to allege he was the victim of sectarian abuse, and called upon the FA and the EFL to take action. Sunderland responded with a statement saying: "Sunderland AFC has a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of discrimination.
"The club is committed to providing an inclusive, family-friendly environment at the Stadium of Light and strongly condemns any supporter found to be engaging in any form of discriminatory behaviour. Whilst the majority of fans behave impeccably when supporting SAFC, there have been multiple incidents during the 2022-23 season that are unacceptable and have resulted in ejection, stadium bans and criminal investigations.
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"Everyone attending, working or taking part in a football match at the Stadium of Light has the right to feel safe, valued and included and the club encourages all supporters to continue to play their part."
The EFL added: "The EFL condemns all forms of discriminatory and offensive chanting and will provide assistance wherever appropriate in respect of any investigations undertaken by the club, FA and other authorities. The League has worked with other football bodies in the past and will continue to do so in the future to provide support for James.
"At the beginning of the season the EFL issued guidance to clubs to support their match day operations to tackle discriminatory behaviour and hate crime."
And the FA said: "We strongly condemn all forms of discriminatory and offensive chanting. Any participants or fans who believe that they have been subject of, or are witness to, discrimination are encouraged to report it through the correct channels: The FA, the relevant club or via our partners at Kick It Out.
"The FA looks into any alleged discriminatory language or behaviour that is reported to us, and we work closely with the clubs and relevant authorities to ensure appropriate action is taken."
Anti-IRA chants could be heard from a minority of Sunderland fans at various times during the game, and they intensified when McClean was close to the crowd to take corner kicks. McClean has faced criticism throughout his career due to his refusal to wear a poppy on his shirt on Remembrance Day, although he says his stance is not political.
McClean's original Instagram post read: "Where to start really, for my son who is seven years old, and watches every Wigan game either being at the stadium or on Latics TV, to be asking his mother 'why are they booing and singing that song at daddy?' and to have to tiptoe around answering him is something which should not be happening. This post is not one of sympathy (trust me, it's not wanted) but one of anger.
"Considering every single year we have a FA representative come into each club to discuss the same old crap they spew to us about discrimination, every single year I challenge them on the abuse, every single year they do nothing. Now everyone who attended the game would have heard this loud and clear, including the match referee, officials and other officials.
"I should not have to report every single incident when clearly they can all hear what I hear, and they should be doing their jobs by taking action! And I certainly don't expect any action to be taken by Sunderland FC themselves, given they did nothing when I was their player.
"Me and my family have been on the receiving end of sickening abuse since November 2012."
Wigan chairman Talal Al Hammad echoed McClean's call for action, saying: "As a club, we are doing everything in our power to stop this from happening, however more importantly as mature adults, this should not be happening. Your behaviour is watched by those younger than you, children, teenagers; the younger generation and is a disgraceful demonstration of how one should behave.
"So much emphasis and effort is put into the younger generation and the prevention in bullying - how can we teach kids to not bully other children as school when adults are doing it themselves. Hurting a human emotionally is as equal as hurting them physically; how come physical abuse has consequences but this doesn't?
"More times than not, action is only taken when it's too late, when a person has been hurt either by other 'adults' or by themselves after enduring emotional and mental abuse. It is shameful and disgusting and needs to stop."
McClean is no stranger to controversy, having been fined by his former club Stoke City in 2020 after an Instagram post on his account showing him wearing a balaclava while sitting in front of two children, captioned 'Today's school lesson - History' along with a laughing emoji.
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