SUNDERLAND star James McClean has received death threats following his decision not to wear a poppy on his jersey last Saturday.

The Derry-born Republic of Ireland was booed by the home fans when he came on as a late substitute in his side’s 3-1 win at Fulham.

Police are investigating threats made to the 23-year-old over the past week following what was a “personal decision” to be the only Premier League player not to wear a poppy over the Remembrance weekend for a match at Everton.

Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill defended McClean’s actions on Friday and he did so again yesterday. O’Neill said: “James will deal with the booing.

“I think it’s probably to do with the issue of last week (not wearing a poppy on his shirt).

“However, it is a free choice here in this world.

“There is major journalist (Jon Snow of Channel Four) who would be as big a supporter of Remembrance Day as anybody but who didn’t wear a poppy because he didn’t agree with someone telling him he should do that.

“James has lived with a lot of things, and he’s getting death threats now, which doesn’t help.”