Soccer

James McClean involved in altercation with Danny Graham

Irish winger appeared to celebrate in front of Sunderland fans, causing an on-pitch row

West Brom’s James McClean clashes with Sunderland’s Lee Cattermole and Danny Graham at full time after celebrating in front of Sunderland fans. Photo: Lee Smith/Reuters
West Brom’s James McClean clashes with Sunderland’s Lee Cattermole and Danny Graham at full time after celebrating in front of Sunderland fans. Photo: Lee Smith/Reuters
Sat Oct 17 2015 - 18:14

James McClean was involved in an altercation on the Hawthorns pitch after West Brom's 1-0 win over Sunderland this afternoon.

The Irish winger went over the applaud the West Brom fans at full-time before turning to the visiting Sunderland fans and celebrating in front of them.

Sunderland striker Danny Graham spotted McClean doing so and confronted him, causing a number of other players to get involved.

West Brom team-mate Craig Gardener and a number of stewards escorted McClean off the pitch in an attempt to calm the situation.

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The Derry native played for Sunderland until 2013 and has been no stranger to controversy in the past after first refusing to wear a shirt with a memorial poppy on it and then appearing to turn his back on the English national anthem during a pre-season game.

After the game West Brom manager Tony Pulis was less than complimentary towards McClean saying that he's "not the sharpest tool in the box, but he's a smashing lad".