Irish footballer refuses to stand with teammates during Remembrance Day minute’s silence

He's received widespread criticism

Phillips took the personal decision, on Saturday, to stand aside as his teammates linked arms for a Remembrance Day moment of tribute. The day - held to honour armed forces members, of the Commonwealth, who have died in the line of duty - is not until November 11, but Oxford United were marking what has now become a month-long period of reflection and tribute. This is also the time of year that many teams, and those across sport, don a poppy.

As 10 of his Wycombe teammates linked arms, around the centre circle, Phillips respectfully stepped to one side as 'The Last Post' was played. He observed the silence then played his part in a 2-2 draw. There were some barbed comments from members of the home support, directed at Phillips, but the game passed off without any major flashpoints.

In the preceding days, however, Phillips has found himself at the centre of a growing storm, as many irate football fans took to social media to condemn the 21-year-old. 

This is something that Wrexham and Ireland midfielder James McClean experienced throughout his club career in England, as he deigned not to wear the poppy and stand linked with teammates for Remembrance tributes.

McClean wrote an open letter, explaining his stance several years ago. In 2018, former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic released a similar statement when his not wearing of a poppy was highlighted.

Phillips was born in San Diego but his family moved to Ireland when he was a young child. He grew up in Dublin's and was signed by Crystal Palace in 2021.

Related links:

• James McClean reveals that he has autism in heartwarming Instagram post
• James McClean fires back at Graeme Souness after poppy comments
• Why Nemanja Matic didn’t wear a poppy during Manchester United match