PFAI call on FA to investigate ‘anti-Irish’ racism claims

The Professional Footballers Association of Ireland have called on the English and Scottish FA's to have a more robust approach in dealing with abuse faced by players like James McClean and managers such as Neil Lennon.

McClean has engaged in a back and forth with the FA this week over their failure to adequately deal with what he claims has been years of sectarian abuse directed at him while Hibernian manager Lennon spoke out last week after he was hit by a coin during a fiery Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle. The FA responded to McClean on Monday and warned him for a post on his Instagram account where he referred to a section of Stoke fans abusing him as "uneducated cavemen" over his refusal to wear the remembrance poppy. The PFAI, the representative body for professional and semi-professional footballers in Republic of Ireland, stated that they stand in solidarity with James McClean, Neil Lennon and all those who experience racism. A statement released on their website reads: "Football Associations must respond with investigations of anti Irish racism, "The FA have announced that they have investigated and warned James McClean for use of language arising from a post he put up on Instagram in which he referred to supporters who were abusing him. "This statement is a joint call from Show Racism the Red Card Ireland, Show Racism the Red Card UK and the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland to both the Football Association in England and the Scottish Football Association to have a more robust approach to abuse faced by players like James McClean and managers such as Neil Lennon. "Racism on the basis of colour, nationality, religion or ethnicity is not acceptable and all within the game have a responsibility to respond appropriately. "James McClean has stood in solidarity with team mates who have experienced racism and spoken out. We stand in solidarity with James McClean, Neil Lennon and all those who experience racism. "We call on both the Football Association in England and the Scottish Football Association to investigate all incidents of anti-Irish discrimination. "We also call on both associations to invest funding in anti-racism education to help both supporters and young people understand the dangers and the impact of racism. Garrett Mullan (SRTRC Ireland) Stephen Mc Guinness (PFA Ireland) Ged Grebby & Paul Kearns (SRTRC UK)"