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DUP MP Gregory Campbell hits out at James McClean for refusing to wear poppy

West Bromwich Albion's James McClean, left, and Manchester City's Raheem Sterling battle for the ball during the Premier League match at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. Picture by Nick Potts, Press Association 
West Bromwich Albion's James McClean, left, and Manchester City's Raheem Sterling battle for the ball during the Premier League match at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. Picture by Nick Potts, Press Association  West Bromwich Albion's James McClean, left, and Manchester City's Raheem Sterling battle for the ball during the Premier League match at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. Picture by Nick Potts, Press Association 

DUP MP Gregory Campbell has said footballer James McClean "just can't help himself" after the Derry-born player refused to wear a poppy on his shirt at the weekend.

McClean, who plays for Premiership side West Bromwich Albion, did not wear a specially produced club shirt adorned with a poppy during Saturday's game against Manchester City.

McClean, who has opted to play international football for the Republic, has never previously worn a poppy.

In the West Brom matchday programme, McClean explained that he chose not to wear a poppy because it commemorated British involvement in all conflicts.

"If the poppy was simply about World War One and Two victims alone, I'd wear it without a problem," he said.

"I would wear it every day of the year if that was the thing but it doesn't, it stands for all the conflicts that Britain has been involved in.

"Because of the history where I come from in Derry, I cannot wear something that represents that."

Last summer he was criticised after appearing to snub the British national anthem by turning his back during a pre-season friendly in the US.

DUP East Derry MP Gregory Campbell hit out at the winger, stating he was "up to his old tricks again."

Mr Campbell wrote on Facebook: "I see the Londonderry born footballer James McClean is up to his old tricks again....he just can't help himself.

"For those who say he's entitled to refuse to wear it, yes he is but being entitled to do something wrong doesn't make it right. He was wrong to do it previously and he's wrong now."