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Balaclava pic costs former West Brom man James McClean

Stoke have fined former Albion winger James McClean two weeks wages after he posted a picture of him home schooling his children in a balaclava.

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Darnell Furlong of West Bromwich Albion and James McClean of Stoke City. (AMA)

The winger has also agreed to delete his Instagram account following the post, which provoked online criticism.

The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international was pictured sitting above his two kids, his face covered by a balaclava, with the caption ‘Today’s School lesson – History’.

He used an emoji to underline the message was meant to be a joke, but Stoke have taken a dim view.

McClean said: “I never wanted to cause any offence but I now realise that I did so, and for that I apologise unreservedly. I have spoken to the club and will be deleting my Instagram account.”

Former Sunderland and Albion man McClean objects to wearing a poppy on his shirt for Remembrance Sunday because the symbol commemorates military personnel who have died in war and not just soldiers who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.