Wycombe Wanderers have offered their support to on-loan midfielder Killian Phillips after he avoided taking part in the official commemoration for Remembrance Day.
The 21-year-old, who was born in the United States but represents the Republic of Ireland at youth international level, was seen stretching during the Last Post in the recent 2-2 draw against Oxford United at the end of October.
There was also a wide birth between Phillips and the rest of his teammates during the moment of silence.
Absolutely superb from Wycombe Wanderers chairman Rob Couhig showing his support for Ireland’s Killian Phillips !👏🏼pic.twitter.com/6ULXceCJ20
— Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@reptracker) November 7, 2023
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He has since been on the receiving end of online criticism and has been booed by opposition fans.
Additionally, the Chairboys have given support to club captain Joe Jacobson amid the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Palestine.
Tensions between the two countries rapidly increased when a set of attacks coordinated by the Islamic terrorist group, Hamas, killed more than 1,400 people Israelis on October 7 this year.
The support comes as Jacobson is one of the few Jewish footballers to be playing professionally in England.
Manager Matt Bloomfield told the press: “One of the things that we will not change at our club is a belief that you can be whoever you want to be.
“You can be yourself 100 per cent, and we want everyone to bring their best selves.
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“If you’re trying to conform with an environment with what a footballer should or should not be or look like, then you’re not bringing your authentic self.
“And one of the massive positives we’ve had here over the last few years is that players believe they can be themselves and feel safe.
🤝 Chairman @RCouhig and club captain @joe_jacobson discuss football's response to global issues and highlight the need for respect for the beliefs, cultures and opinions of others in this special interview, recorded last week. pic.twitter.com/WHk6diCcEy
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) November 6, 2023
“You can be who you are.
“The meaning of different things is for different people in terms of their background, their heritage, and their upbringing.
“So we will not judge as people can have their own beliefs and we will stand by our own.”
Owner Rob Couhig then added: “He [Phillips] is a tremendous young man and I have told him how much we support him.
“He has legitimate issues with some of the things that we do as formalities, and he’s entitled to live his life [the way he wants to], and we will do it respectfully.
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“Somebody is at home and sees something out of place in their mind, so they begin this social media campaign which gains its own momentum.
"They don’t realise what they can do to somebody.
So good to see.
— Chris Cooper (@ChrisCooper_22) November 6, 2023
It's difficult to know where to start and the media/social media make you feel like you have to pick a side and it's so wrong.
Well done to @joe_jacobson for stepping up and being a champion for change. https://t.co/88QeuVb5wQ
“It hurts.
“And we wanted to let him know that we’re 100 per cent behind him, and we believe in the right for our players to have their own personal beliefs.
“We may disagree on the causes, but we will support their activities in terms of doing well.”
Wycombe’s Remembrance Weekend fixture is against Stevenage at Adams Park on November 11.
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