Arsenal star Katie McCabe opted against wearing a poppy during the club’s 4-1 victory over Leicester as Women’s Super League clubs began Remembrance Day commemorations.
Leicester had confirmed last month that the fixture would serve as their Remembrance fixture, with both teams wearing shirts featuring the poppy.
The club added that the match-worn poppy shirts would then be auctioned in support of the national Royal British Legion, which supports military service members, veterans, and their families.
McCabe, who is captain of the Republic of Ireland’s women’s national team, joined her Arsenal team-mates pre-match as part of a one minute’s silence in commemoration of Remembrance Day.
The 30-year-old, however, was not seen wearing a poppy on her shirt during the match with several Irish fans highlighting her stance.
McCabe had previously been seen wearing a poppy on her Arsenal shirt as part of the Remembrance period last year.
Arsenal star Katie McCabe, left, did not wear a poppy in Arsenal’s victory over Leicester
McCabe, right, did join her Arsenal team-mates to observe a Remembrance Day minutes’ silence
McCabe had previously worn the poppy on her shirt during the Remembrance period last year
She played 59 minutes of Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Leicester on Sunday, a result that keeps them fifth in the WSL table.
Brighton’s Caitlin Hayes, also a member of Ireland’s national team, also opted against wearing a shirt featuring the poppy in their 3-2 defeat by Man United.
Neither McCabe nor Hayes have publicly commented on the reason behind their decision.
Wrexham footballer James McClean has previously spoken out about his reasoning for not wearing the poppy, having first made the decision back in 2012 which led to him being booed by his own fans at Stoke.
He has continued this stance throughout his career in England, leading to him being targeted by sectarian abuse.
The former Premier League full-back was born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland and chooses not to wear a poppy because he feels it shows disrespect to people who died during the Troubles.
Brighton’s Caitlin Hayes also opted against wearing a poppy during their match with Man United
McClean’s hometown was the location of the infamous 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre and the Wrexham star has previously stated he believes the poppy is disrespectful to the memory of those who died in the incident.
McClean, who represented the Republic of Ireland at international level, previously stated that if the poppy was only used to memorialise those who died solely in WW1 and WW2 then he would be happy to oblige with the show of respect.
His decision has previously seen McClean suffer torrents of abuse from angry supporters that view his poppy snub as an insult to the memory of armed forces personnel who have lost their lives in combat.
Last year, McClean had stood apart from his team-mates as the pre-match minute’s silence were held before matches during the Remembrance period.
in October, McClean described the issue of the poppy as ‘a pain in my a***’ and it first became a controversy when he was at Sunderland.
The club released a statement telling fans it was the player’s choice not to wear one, leading to a public outcry and even threats on his life.
He reiterated why he is adamant in his refusal to partake in the Remembrance Day gesture, adding: ‘I was getting death threats, people were saying he should be shot and dragged across the Cenotaph.
James McLean has opted against wearing the poppy on his shirt for much of his career
The Wrexham star last year stood separate to his team-mates observing a moment of silence
‘I could have easily just said, “I’ll wear a poppy,” and sold myself out and be known for my football or I’ll not wear a poppy and be known as that but I’ve stayed true to myself.
‘Six of seven people from the Creggan estate (where he grew up in Northern Ireland) died on Bloody Sunday that day so for me to wear a poppy in support of the people who carried out those atrocities…
‘It frustrates me how people can’t see that. How is it even a debate of why I should wear the poppy.’
