Following a flurry of death threats on Twitter, Northern Ireland soccer player James McClean has closed his account.
The controversy started after the 23-year-old Sunderland A.F.C. player was named to the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 team earlier this week. Early Wednesday McClean deleted his Twitter account, despite hundreds of people tweeting their support.
“It’s a pity it has come to this, but it is maybe in his best interests in the short term,” a spokesperson for the Football Association of Ireland according to the United Kingdom Press Association (UKPA) said.
McClean is excited about playing for the national team, calling the opportunity “the stuff that dreams are made of.”
Despite the looming threats, McClean is preparing with his team for “Sunday’s final Barclays Premier League fixture of the season against Manchester United,” reported UKPA.
The death threats are under investigation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Photo via Facebook, remix by Fernando Alfonso III
