James McClean said he takes offence at the poppy being “forced upon me” after standing by his ongoing refusal to take part in pre-match Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

Wrexham captain James McClean continued his ongoing protest to Remembrance Sunday by refusing to wear a poppy and standing away from his teammates during the League One club’s fixture against Mansfield on Saturday.

James McClean has once again explained his stance over the poppy and commemorative events in the UK around Remembrance Sunday. Clubs across England have been marking the day – which took place last Sunday – with a minute’s silence before matches along with players donning a poppy on their kits.

Wrexham captain James McClean stood separately to his team-mates and refused to wear a poppy as the club observed a minute’s silence for Remembrance Sunday ahead of their fixture against Mansfield.

Former Republic of Ireland footballer James McClean has said that he won’t “compromise my convictions” in his continued stance on wearing the Remembrance Day poppy.

It should be pointed out that McClean hasn’t always helped himself. In 2020, he was fined two weeks’ wages by former club Stoke City after he posted a picture of himself on Instagram wearing a balaclava alongside two children, whom he claimed to be giving a "history lesson."

Wrexham fans broke out into song when they saw James McClean's actions. The Irishman has previously explained why he does not wear a poppy.

James McClean makes headlines around Remembrance Day on an annual basis, with the Wrexham captain explaining his stance on the poppy front.