B B C Sports: The EFL have changed rule for James McClean ahead of Birmingham City reunion.

James McClean got into a heated argument with Birmingham City fans as he strolled across the pitch at St Andrew’s after being substituted in September.

Wrexham’s James McClean

The EFL have removed a long-standing rule following an incident involving James McClean in Birmingham City’s win over Wrexham in September – meaning the Irishman will no longer have to go across the pitch when he’s substituted. Wrexham captain McClean was substituted late in the match and had to walk all the way around the St Andrew’s grass due to the rules stating he had to leave the pitch at the nearest exit point. The rule was introduced by EFL lawmakers for the 2019/20 season to prevent time-wasting, but it resulted in McClean being abused by supporters as he approached the Wrexham bench. McClean has now received special permission to use the shortest way across the pitch to the tunnel whenever he needs to leave the pitch.

Following conversations between the EFL, Wrexham, and PGMOL, a letter was written to clubs and has been leaked online. It reads: “You will be aware that James McClean is frequently the target of abuse from certain sections of support. “This has, in the past, resulted in FA punishments against the team due to the chanting becoming racially, or religiously motivated and hence, regarded as a hate crime. Missiles were also thrown. “It has now been agreed that in the future, if Mr McClean needs to leave the pitch for any reason, he will take the shortest route to the tunnel.” This strategy will help to reduce these incidences and manage Mr. McClean’s departure from the pitch without incident.”

McClean is likely to start for Wrexham in the rematch against Blues on Thursday evening. Away supporters are positioned on the side of the Racecourse Ground, meaning McClean will play directly in front of them for at least 45 minutes. “It wasn’t something I asked for, so it was quite a surprise to see it,” McClean, 35, told talkSPORT about the new regulation. “It’s really welcome because, not only for myself, but for anyone. “I feel that a pretty silly rule anyway; leaving the pitch at the nearest exit forces players, particularly away players, to stroll around the periphery of the pitch, which can lead to idiots.

“It’s really difficult to control hundreds of morons if you’re a steward or a police officer. If people want to throw things, yell abuse, not everyone can be controlled. “It simply eliminates the possibility of anything dumb happening; common sense has prevailed, so to speak! Following the Birmingham incident, the manager approached me a few weeks ago and said they were investigating into doing anything. I didn’t hear anything for weeks and, to be honest, didn’t pay much attention, so when it broke yesterday, I saw it like everyone else, which was welcome.”

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