JAMES McCLEAN has been given special permission to break EFL rules to avoid being abused by rival fans.
The Wrexham star, 35, regularly gets targetted by opposition supporters when he goes off the pitch.
Football laws since 2019-20 state a player being substituted must leave the field by the nearest sideline – rather than trudging over to the dugouts – to speed up play and reduce time wasting.
However, that has sparked a series of incidents with McClean clashing with supporters when taken off.
That included seeing a cup of Bovril thrown at him against Birmingham and he appeared to blow kisses at Mansfield fans earlier this month.
Now the EFL have stepped in to allow McClean and any other players at a similar risk an exemption to protect them from further flashpoints.
Having liaised with Wrexham and the PGMOL – the body of referees – the EFL have circulated a letter advising clubs of the measure put in place for stars – including but not exclusively the former Sunderland, Wigan, West Brom and Stoke winger.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the new directive came in an email to club safety officers as the EFL wrote: “You will be aware that James McClean is often on the receiving end of abuse from some sections of support.
“This has, in the past, resulted in FA sanctions against the Club due to the chanting becoming racially, or religiously motivated and therefore, classed as a hate crime.
“Missiles have also been thrown.
“It has now been agreed that on occasions in the future when Mr McClean has to leave the field of play, for whatever reason, he will leave by the shortest route towards the tunnel.
“This process will help to reduce these incidents and also help to manage Mr McClean’s departure from the pitch without incident.”
McClean has never shied away from controversy during his career and hit the headlines once again in recent weeks over his poppy stance.
The 103-cap Ireland international decides not to wear a poppy on his shirt in the fixtures leading up to Remembrance Day each year.
That is because his hometown of Londonderry – or Derry to Republicans – was the site of the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre which saw 14 unarmed civilians killed by British soldiers.
And he feels wearing a poppy shows disrespect to those who died during the Troubles.
However, he has stated he would be willing to join the majority of footballers by having the red flower on his jersey if it was solely to show respect to those who died during the World Wars.
McClean stood apart from his Wrexham team-mates for the minute of silence before the 1-0 win over Mansfield.
The veteran helped Wrexham win promotion last season and was seen revelling in the Welsh club’s fans’ anti-monarchy song about him – just weeks after future king Prince William visited the Racecourse Ground.
McClean is, of course, not the only footballer who has been on the receiving end of abuse from opposition fans.
Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri taunted the passionate Leeds faithful in the closing stages of the Clarets’ win at Elland Road in September, leading to a furious reaction.
However, the ex-Manchester United man certainly played his part in the animosity on that occasion.
And the EFL cited the “racially or religiously-motivated hate crimes” surrounding McClean prompting the unprecedented dispensation.
But SunSport understands should other players be at a similar safety risk like McClean, they too would be subject to the relaxed rules for their protection.
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