Northern Ireland soccer player James McClean has received death threats on Twitter after being named to the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 team.
“[A]bsolutley honoured and cudnt be happier to have been call up to represnt my country at the euros no better feelin!” McClean (@jmcc_23) tweeted Monday.
The announcement didn’t last long, however. Angered Northern Ireland fans lashed against the 23-year-old player, resulting in tow confirmed threats.
“F*** up your dirty fenian b****** il make sure you get shot when you set foot back into gods country #FTP,” tweeted @PotKettleBlack3, according to the Derry Journal.
The threats against McClean mark the third soccer-related incident to hit Twitter in the last two months.
Liam Stacey, a 21-year-old Twitter user in the U.K., admitted to inciting racial hatred after Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest on March 17. About a month later, tweeters outed the rape victim of Sheffield United soccer player Ched Evans. Then last week the Rangers Football Club complained to police after its player Kyle Bartley allegedly received racist tweets after his team lost.
The threats against McClean have been condemned by Northern Ireland’s Social Democratic and Labour Party and are being investigated.
Photo via @jmcc_23