Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill last night banned players from using Twitter on match days after winger, James Mcclean branded a Belfast newspaper "bitter" and "sectarian".
The Derry-born footballer made the comments about The Belfast Telegraph on Twitter, sparking calls for new rules to be introduced for players.
The 24-year-old's Tweet related to an article in the newspaper on Saturday marking the 20th anniversary of the World cup qualifier between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at Windsor park.
Mcclean wrote: "Belfast Telegraph is nothing but a bitter sectarian (sic)
paper you expect anything less by now."
The Tweet was later deleted. It is not the first time Mcclean, left, has found himself embroiled in such controversy.
He was heavily criticised in England after refusing to wear a poppy in a top fight football match.
And in September 2012, Mcclean was forced to apologise to former Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni for a Twitter rant after he was left on the bench for a World cup qualifier.
The Belfast Telegraph yesterday declined to comment.