Wrexham star James McLean has admitted punching a Cardiff supporter before last week’s Carabao Cup All-Wales match, but insists it was in self-defence. The former Premier League winger was involved in an altercation with an opposing fan before the Bluebirds’ 2-1 win at the Racecourse Ground in the fourth leg on Tuesday, October 28.
In a statement provided to talkSPORT, the 36-year-old revealed the clash began after he was accosted by four Cardiff supporters outside the stadium as he arrived in his car. McLean claimed that after he was first targeted with abuse in the players’ car park, a person approached him.
The former Republic of Ireland international said he threw a punch at one of them before entering the ground.
A Wrexham spokesperson confirmed that the incident had been reported to the appropriate authorities, but it is understood that North Wales Police are not currently investigating the matter.
Mr MacLean’s remarks were broadcast by presenter Jim White on Wednesday afternoon after he was contacted directly for a response.
In a text message to White, he said: “What happened was I got out of my car in the players’ car park and somehow there were four male Cardiff fans, also in their late 20s to early 30s. They noticed me (and) immediately started yelling abuse at me. I ignored the first jibe. I responded to the second jibe and confronted them about it.”
“Words were spoken. One of them, a tall guy with glasses, made a hostile move towards me. As I said in a previous interview, Jim, I’m in my workplace and I shouldn’t feel threatened in that workplace. So instead, I didn’t wait for him to take the first swing. So I did. There were four guys and one of them was me.”
He added: “People need to understand that just because we are playing football, it doesn’t mean people can try their freedom without consequences for their actions. That was it. Nothing more happened and the situation was dealt with. I hope that helps.”
McLean remained on the bench as Wrexham lost to Cardiff, missing out on a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Will Fish scored the decisive goal as the Bluebirds, chasing promotion to League One, defeated their Championship opponents.
A Wrexham representative said: “Wrexham AFC are aware of an incident involving a first-team player and a visiting supporter ahead of the match against Cardiff City and this has been reported to the relevant authorities. We will not be commenting further on this matter at this stage.”
Cardiff then secured a draw in the quarter-finals against Premier League powerhouse Chelsea.
The prestigious clash against the five-time champions will take place at Cardiff City Stadium in the week commencing December 15th.
Cardiff defender Perry Ng has revealed that his team’s WhatsApp group went crazy after learning about their opponents. “The group chat was active,” he said.
“I’m excited to get in there and meet everyone and see what they think. I went to the Wales game the other day and the atmosphere was lively.
“Even at previous Swansea games, the stadium has been unreal, it has a classy atmosphere and it gives the pitch an extra vibrancy. If we can move up the table, Brian (Barry Murphy) won’t tell us to back down. We’ll go at them as hard as we’ve done against the other teams and see what happens.”
