Matic’s kit on Saturday did not feature a poppy.
Given the over the top and completely unnecessary abuse that James McClean received for not wearing a poppy on his jersey, the attention of football fans has been on other players that choose this stance.
Another player in English football chose not to wear the poppy on Saturday afternoon. However, there wasn’t quite the same reaction.
Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic decided not to wear the poppy on his jersey during United’s 2-1 win over Bournemouth.
The Serbian midfielder, who has worn the symbol on his jersey in the past, was the only United player who did not wear the poppy during the game.
Matic hasn’t commented on why he chose not to wear it, and he doesn’t have to comment on the decision either.
It’s his choice and he’s perfectly entitled to it.
According to a report in the Mail on Sunday, Matic didn’t wear it for “personal reasons.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpuQkxdFtvb/
The sight of him not wearing the poppy left many to wonder if he would receive a similar backlash from those who take issue with McClean’s stance.
Huge difference to the reaction to Nemanja Matic not poppy compared to James McClean isn't there?
— Jonathan Higgins (@Jhiggins3) November 3, 2018
No poppy for matic. I'm sure he'll be treated the same way @JamesMcC_14 about it pic.twitter.com/bpkD066ZOu
— Marc richardson (@jammz276) November 3, 2018
In an Instagram post on Saturday night, McClean addressed those who booed and heckled him earlier in the day when Stoke played Middlesbrough at the bet365 Stadium.
He wrote: ‘They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn’t want to be broken’.
“Your abuse, your throwing things, your booing, do your worst. To the home fans that are actually educated and support me, thank you. To the section of uneducated cavemen in the left hand corner of the Boothen End Stand that want to song their Anti-Irish songs each game and call me a Fenian this and that, I am a PROUD FENIAN. No c**t will ever change that, so sing away.”
