Irish midfielder Killian Phillips has been the subject of major criticism from sections of British society in recent times after his response to a Remembrance Day tribute ahead of a Wycombe Wanderers game.
Whereas his teammates linked arms and bowed their heads during a rendition of The Last Post, the Dubliner opted to stand apart from the group. There was clearly nothing disrespectful about his actions, with the 21-year old simply deciding not to participate in the ceremony.
Despite this, he has faced no shortage of backlash from certain quarters.
It was a completely ridiculous reaction, something that the Wycmobe Wanderers chairman responded brilliantly to earlier this week.
The player has now also received backing from within the international setup.
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Ireland U21 boss backs Killian Phillips over Remembrance Day stance
Killian Phillips has been included in the Ireland U21 squad for the upcoming Euro qualifiers against Norway and Italy, with the player being fully supporters within the Irish ranks.
Speaking at his squad announcement this afternoon, Ireland U21 boss Jim Crawford said he fully backed Phillips for the way he stood up for his beliefs on this occasion.
Ireland U21 boss Jim Crawford is fully backing Killian Phillips after the stance he took during a Remembrance Day tribute ahead of a recent Wycombe Wanderers game 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/ZYfIFBKMSj
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) November 9, 2023
Killian is a strong character, he's a strong individual.
In the last window I left him out of the squad. I had that conversation with him and he was disappointed without being confrontational. He understood the situation that he needed to play more games and he did. I think that shows his character from a football sense.
From his own beliefs, he is entitled to his own beliefs. I would fully support him on that.
I know the Wycombe chairman came out and said that they're 100 per cent behind him as a person and as a teammate, we're the same here with the Irish U21s. He has got his own personal beliefs and I'm full on board with that.
I know there has been a social media campaign through certain people's lenses about what Remembrance Day is all about. That doesn't sit well with Killian, so he chose to do what he did.
As long as he was respectful in doing so, I don't see any issue with it. It's something that I'll back him 100 per cent (on).
Well said.
Killian Phillips has been in brilliant form at club level in recent weeks, something he will now be hoping to carry over to an Ireland jersey.
He certainly won't let the negative reaction he has received impact his performances on the pitch.
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