Irish sports figures have again come under attack in Britain for failing to wear a poppy in honour of British soldiers who died in conflicts around the world, including in Ireland.

While Derryman James McClean has become famous for his courage in defying the phenomenon known as ‘Poppy Fascism’, Arsenal’s Katie McCabe (pictured) has faced criticism in the British media for their first time.

Her name emerged in the Daily Mail after one reporter dug out names of Irish players in the Women’s Super League and examined team photos.

It found Katie McCabe would not wear a poppy from her jersey in Arsenal’s match against Leicester, and blared its opposition to her decision to “ditch” the poppy.

The Mail said that McCabe had worn the poppy last year but chose not to this season, although she observed the designated moment of silence before the game. The newspaper also named McCabe’s Ireland team-mate Caitlin Hayes, who plays for Brighton, for her poppy refusal.

The Daily Telegraph followed up by adding to the list Hayley Nolan and Abbie Larkin, both of Crystal Palace in reports which were also picked up by far-right channel GB News.

The British Army has killed thousands of Irish citizens in its efforts to put down uprisings through the centuries, including some of the most infamous massacres of the recent conflict, as well as high-profile assassinations, such as that in 1989 of Belfast defence lawyer Pat Finucane.

Last month, James McClean again spoke of his background growing up in Derry and revealed how his wife was terrified he’d be shot live on TV while playing for Ireland at the time his poppy controversy erupted.

The Creggan man refused to wear a poppy in the lead-up to Poppy Day back in 2012 and recalled how death threats led to extra security being put in place on him when Ireland played a friendly against Greece in Dublin later that month.

“People were saying ‘he should be shot and dragged across the centre pitch’. I was getting bullets in the post, bullets sent to the club.

“That night I met up with Ireland, the club had received threats that I was basically going to be shot.

“The game was on TV. I was going to be shot, this and that.”

He said he grew up in the heart of the Creggan, a republican area of Derry.

“Six or seven people from the Creggan estate died that on Bloody Sunday,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.

“So, for me to wear a poppy in support of the people who carried out those atrocities… it frustrates me how people don’t, can’t see that. How is there even a debate? Why I should wear a poppy?

“Your home’s your home, you don’t forget where you grow up. It’s like what I said, this is my education in life. And I’m going to come back here one day.

“So, who am I to betray the people who basically raised me?”

Aontú leader Peadar Toibín said the constant pressure for Irish sports stars to wear the poppy is “shocking”.

“The poppy commemorates all British soldiers, including those who murdered Irish civilians in countless attacks like Bloody Sunday,” he said.

Commemorations in the north of Ireland produce tensions every November, and the appearance of ‘poppy stalls’ in some supermarkets is strongly divisive, particularly in Newry, where there have been protests in recent years.

Despite strong criticism, Sinn Féin’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill attended the British Army’s annual Remembrance Day event in Belfast.

Ms O’Neill joined DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly in laying wreaths at the Cenotaph at Belfast City Hall. Her laurel wreath bore a card with the words: “Today, as First Minister, I remember all lives lost in the horror of war and conflict.

“Through understanding and respect for our differences, we can build a stronger, more compassionate, and united society.”

She did so amid anger over the failure to convict ‘Soldier F’ or Britain’s other killer soldiers, and the subsequent provocations of unionist leaders in supporting the British Army’s murderous Parachute regiment.

Despite bitter condemnation by several republican groups, Ms O’Neill defended her attendance.

Ms O’Neill said that as First Minister, it is her responsibility to “show respect for all traditions and perspectives in our society”.

She added: “Politics must give hope to the next generation, ensuring our children and grandchildren grow up in a much better world than we did.

“We are living in a time of enormous change on our island, and that requires positive leadership, and I will not shy away from that responsibility.”