The IFA has expressed its disappointment after James McClean outlined his reasons for changing allegiance away from Northern Ireland.

Sunderland winger said he used Northern Ireland as a 'stepping stone'

Disappointed

The Irish Football Association has expressed its disappointment after James McClean outlined his reasons for changing allegiance away from Northern Ireland. McClean has been included in the Republic of Ireland squad for Euro 2012 after previously rejecting the chance to be involved in Northern Ireland's senior set-up. The Sunderland winger had represented Northern Ireland up to Under 21 level, but opted to take advantage of a FIFA ruling allowing him to swap allegiance. He is a controversial figure among Northern Ireland fans after declaring that he had used the IFA youth teams as a "stepping stone", had always supported the Republic and that he felt Catholic players were made to feel unwelcome at Windsor Park. Inclusivity has been a major watchword at Windsor Avenue in recent years, with a series of initiatives in place to encourage cross-community football teams, and although McClean is not alone in declaring for the Republic, a handful of the current senior squad - including Celtic pair Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn - are Catholic, as is new manager Michael O'Neill. McClean's suggestions that he felt ostracised by the conduct of some Northern Ireland fans, as well as the use of God Save the Queen as the pre-match anthem, led to him receiving death threats on Twitter and the closing of the player's account.On Friday, the IFA put forward its side of the story, issuing a statement which read: "The Irish Football Association is disappointed by the comments made by James McClean in today's media. "The Irish FA's strategic vision is to foster, develop and promote football for all throughout Northern Ireland. "The Association has a very successful 'Football For All' programme where the main objective of the programme is to make sure that the sport of football is welcoming and inclusive to all members of our society in Northern Ireland and we will continue to drive this initiative forward. "We pride ourselves with the fact that all Northern Ireland international football teams - both past and present - have always involved players from all sections of the community. "All our programmes - from grassroots football and our centres of excellence, to our girls and women's football and disability development programmes - each and every one has always been cross community, promoting 'Football For All'."