EXCLUSIVE: McClean removed from Twitter after Sunderland winger's controversial comments spark IRA sectarian row



Sunderland have banned winger James McClean from Twitter after another sectarian row on the social networking site.

The move to delete his account is understood to have been made on club advice, and after a brief but frank meeting with manager Martin O'Neill on Monday.



It comes after the Republic of Ireland star professed his love for song The Broad Black Brimmer by The Wolfe Tones prior to Sunderland’s game against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend.

Controversial character: It is hoped Sunderland winger James McClean's removal from Twitter can prevent further trouble

The song tells of a boy whose father is killed while fighting for the IRA, with the title referring to the wide-brimmed hat worn by many of the group’s members in the 1920s during the Irish War of Independence and Civil War.

McClean tweeted: ‘On flight for the maras game. Only one thing for it —headphones in, Wolfe Tones on! What’s everyone’s fave song? Broad Black Brimmer edges mine.’

A DUP MP called for Sunderland to sack McClean if he makes another similar outburst.



O’Neill has previously urged McClean to quit Twitter, or be more careful with his tweets. But this latest run-in on the site has prompted McClean to delete his account.

Frustration: McClean's decision to play for Republic of Ireland, not Northern Ireland, sparked anger among some fans

The former Derry City winger, who broke into the Sunderland side in O’Neill’s first game, has received death threats as a result of his tweets surrounding his allegiance to the Republic rather than Northern Ireland.

He was also sent death threats last November after declining to wear a printed poppy on his Sunderland shirt.

McClean, who has come on and off the social networking site in the last year, exasperated O’Neill and his club when he returned to it last month while on international duty for the friendly against Poland.

O’Neill said then: ‘Is he maturing? No. He has gone back on Twitter, even against advice of the club. I have to say maybe he will look out for himself then.’

Disappointed: Manager Martin O'Neill has long been unhappy about McClean's use of Twitter

And this week DUP MP Gregory Campbell said that if the 23-year-old continues with his ‘contentious’ comments, O’Neill should sack him.

Campbell said: ‘As someone playing football at a professional level for Sunderland, McClean should be an example to young people.

‘It is obviously up to his manager to decide what course of action to take now.