Wrexham skipper James McClean has hit out at Republic of Ireland midfielder Finn Azaz after accusing him of exaggerating contact to get an opponent sent off during Tuesday’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Armenia.
The 36-year-old veteran took to social media following the match, branding Azaz’s behaviour “embarrassing” after the Southampton player went down dramatically following a clash with Tigran Barseghyan, which led to a straight red card.
What Happened and Why It Matters
The incident occurred early in the second half at the Aviva Stadium, with Armenia captain Barseghyan dismissed after making contact with Azaz’s head. The Irish midfielder fell to the turf theatrically, prompting referee intervention and a VAR review before the red card was confirmed.
View this post on Instagram
Ireland went on to claim all 3 points thanks to an Evan Ferguson header, but McClean was unimpressed with the manner in which the breakthrough came. Posting on Instagram, the Wrexham winger wrote:
“Still going to be a red card now with VAR in play without falling down holding your face like Canelo just landed 1 flush, embarrassing behaviour.”
The outspoken winger’s comments sparked debate among Irish fans, some defending Azaz’s reaction given the contact, while others echoed McClean’s criticism of simulation creeping into the national team setup.
McClean, who has 103 international caps, retired from Ireland duty in 2023 following a disagreement with then-manager Stephen Kenny over his move to Wrexham.
However, he later admitted he had not ruled out returning to the squad if called upon by a future coach. With Heimir Hallgrímsson now in charge, his comments could add tension should both players ever share a dressing room again.
Reaction, Impact, and What Comes Next
Despite McClean’s anger, the incident ultimately helped Ireland secure a crucial qualifying win, though their path to the 2026 World Cup remains complicated. Hungary’s late equaliser against Portugal left Ireland third in their group, meaning they must now rely on other results — and 2 wins of their own — to keep their play-off hopes alive.
For Wrexham fans, the episode was another example of McClean’s forthright personality, which has made him both a leader and a lightning rod since arriving in North Wales in 2023. Having helped the club climb from League Two to the Championship under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ownership, he remains one of the most high-profile players outside the Premier League.
McClean has made three league appearances so far this season as Wrexham adjust to life in the second tier, but his uncompromising views continue to generate headlines beyond club football. Whether his criticism of Azaz prompts an official response from the FAI remains to be seen, but the veteran’s message was unmistakable: play hard, not theatrically.
