Leaked letter gives Wrexham's Irish poppy protester James McClean special permission to bypass football's rules about where players can leave the pitch to escape from abusive fans

Poppy-row footballer James McClean is to be permitted to leave the pitch via the shortest route to the tunnel following abuse from rival supporters.

The EFL has written to all of its clubs to tell them that from now on the former Republic of Ireland international, who plays for Wrexham, will receive special dispensation when he has to come off.

League bosses have acted after a series of incidents in which missiles have been thrown at the 35-year-old former Wigan, Stoke and Sunderland man and clubs charged.

As of 2019-20, players being substituted have to leave the field via the nearest touchline or goal line, as part of a drive to speed up play and cut down on timewasting.

However, that will no longer be the case for McClean, who was most recently targeted by Birmingham City supporters at a League One clash with a cup of Bovril thrown at him as he was withdrawn.

The move follows talks between the EFL, Wrexham and refs’ body PGMOL. In a message to club safety officers, seen by Mail Sport, the EFL writes: ‘You will be aware that James McClean is often on the receiving end of abuse from some sections of support.

McClean stood separate to his Wrexham team-mates observing a moment of silence during the remembrance weekend

‘This has, in the past, resulted in FA sanctions against the Club due to the chanting becoming racially, or religiously motivated and therefore, classed as a hate crime. Missiles have also been thrown.’

They add: ‘It has now been agreed that on occasions in the future when Mr McClean has to leave the field of play, for whatever reason, he will leave by the shortest route towards the tunnel. This process will help to reduce these incidents and also help to manage Mr McClean’s departure from the pitch without incident.’

Safety officers will be permitted to the same process should other players face similar issues.

In September, there were unsavoury scenes when Burnley’s former Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri taunted Leeds supporters after he was substituted during their Championship clash at Elland Road, having been told to walk around three sides of the pitch to the dugout.

McClean, who is from Londonderry in Northern Ireland, stood separately from Wrexham and Mansfield players observing a minute of silence as he refused to wear a poppy on the weekend of Remembrance Day fixtures earlier this month.

The 35-year-old’s hometown, known to Republicans as Derry, was the scene for the infamous 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, in which British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march, with 14 killed.

McClean has previously said he chooses not to wear a poppy because he feels it shows disrespect to people who died during the Troubles in his home nation.

He has 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.

McClean was spotted seemingly blowing kisses toward Mansfield fans after being abused

Controversial Irish star James McClean saluted Wrexham fans singing a chant that includes the worlds ‘he hates the f***ing King’ when they were promoted to League 1

It came just a few weeks after Prince William visited Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground to meet staff and players

However, that decision has seen him targeted for abuse from those who see the view as a snub to armed forces members who have lost their lives in combat.

In April, McClean celebrated with Wrexham fans following the club’s promotion from League Two.

He was seen urging the crowd to continue sing an anti-monarchy song.

That came just a few weeks after Prince William visited Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground to meet staff and players, and hear about how the club has risen since the takeover by Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.