Barnsley fined £20,000 after James McClean is abused during Championship encounter

Barnsley have been fined £20,000 and told to implement an action plan after the abuse hurled at Stoke winger James McClean during their encounter in the Championship.

The incident happened all the way back in November 2019. Barnsley have admitted that they had failed to ensure their fans behaved in an orderly fashion and refrained from using abusive language.

The abuse was aimed at winger McClean due to his controversial views of not wearing a poppy on his shirt for games around Remembrance Day.

Barnsley Football Club brought out a club statement which quoted.

“Barnsley Football Club has a zero tolerance policy on any form of discrimination and, as such, are immensely disappointed to have been found guilty of violating FA rulings,” a club statement read.

“The club will act upon the case findings and will continue to work closely with the Football Association and (anti-discrimination charity) Kick It Out.

“Anybody found to be involved in any form of discriminatory behaviour when representing Barnsley Football Club face a potential ban from attending matches.”

McClean reported that he had been “racially abused” to referee Jeremy Simpson in the 32nd minute of the game at Oakwell.

The referee told the fourth official, who informed coaching staff from both teams and also Barnsley’s stewards.

The investigation reviewed video footage of the match where a “significant number of individuals” could be heard chanting sectarian abuse.

It also criticised Barnsley for not doing more in advance of the game to mitigate the chances of abuse being directed at Republic of Ireland international McClean, who had been subject to similar instances in the past around Remembrance Day.