REPUBLIC of Ireland international James McClean has been fined two weeks’ wages by Stoke City for an inappropriate social media post.
The 30-year-old Derry-born footballer has also agreed to delete his Instagram account following the controversial post.
McClean posted a picture of himself wearing a balaclava in front of two children, with the caption 'Today's school lesson - History' along with a laughing emoji.
In a statement the Stoke City winger said: "I never wanted to cause any offence but I now realise I did so and for that I apologise unreservedly.
"I have spoken to the club and will be deleting my Instagram account."
The footballer has previously been subjected to sectarian abuse and threats over his decision not to wear a poppy on his shirt for games scheduled around Remembrance Day.
Second division football club Barnsley was fined £20,000 in February and ordered to implement an action plan after some fans targeted McClean for abuse during a game at Oakwell.
Last year McClean donated the proceeds from a commentary gig to the Ryan McBride Foundation.
The foundation was set up following the sudden death of Derry City captain Ryan McBride in March 2017.
Last week, McClean made a donation to help struggling families in the Creggan estate in the midst of the coronavirus crisis and also chipped into a fund set up to support League of Ireland players facing hardship.
