WEST Ham footballer Declan Rice has apologised after a social media post emerged in which he made an apparent reference to the IRA.
The 20-year-old midfielder, who transferred allegience to England last month, wrote '#UPTHERA' on Instagram in 2015.
The London-born player, whose grandparents are from Cork, represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level and made three appearances for the senior side in friendly matches last year.
He recently earned his first call-up to the England squad.
Rice apologised for "any offence caused" by the "poorly expressed comment" on social media.
"I recognise my attempt to show support for my team-mates at the time could be negatively interpreted," he said.
"While my naive words were not meant to be a political opinion and do not represent who I am, I sincerely apologise for any offence caused."
England manager Gareth Southgate, speaking ahead of his side's Euro 2020 qualifier against Czech Republic tonight, said: "He's apologised. It's not representative of what he believes and what he feels. Outside of that it was when he was 15 or 16 and engaged in conversation with friends.
"We've probably said things, written things that would look different several years later."
The apology comes days after Belfast boxer Michael Conlan faced criticism for entering the ring at New York's Madison Square Garden on Sunday to the Wolfe Tones' song ‘Celtic Symphony’, which repeats the refrain ‘Ooh ah up the ‘Ra, say ooh ah up the ‘Ra’.
There has been no comment from the west Belfast fighter since the incident.
