Comments made by Declan Rice that appear to show support for the IRA when he was 15 have resurfaced following his call up to the England squad.
The West Ham player dramatically switched allegiance from the Republic of Ireland recently despite being heavily involved in the smaller country’s national team setup.
Comments gone now after getting a few likes but I've got a screenshot of it @_DeclanRice pic.twitter.com/QDeDECNtsW
— J (@JamesCee00) March 20, 2019
But now a social media post has been revealed in which the young midfielder seems to express support for the violent terrorist group, responsible for a number of murders in the UK.
Rice has since apologised, claiming he was just trying to show support for his teammates.
These were the best tweets and jokes after Declan Rice’s ‘up the RA’ Instagram post ahead of England’s game against the Czech Republic:
https://twitter.com/SirStevoTimothy/status/1108776468228775937
I'd say the English lads were a bit confused by Declan Rice's initiation song https://t.co/v3ViViNdXr
— Nathan Murphy (@nathanmurf) March 21, 2019
Declan Rice showing up to the England game tomorrow like pic.twitter.com/vTD4mS6QpW
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) March 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/LADFLEG/status/1108776022063886338
Wonder who dug up Declan Rice’s “up the ra” social media post pic.twitter.com/tnUWpCKOeV
— Imran khan (@khanUR199) March 21, 2019
Declan Rice’s PR team are going to send him out with the biggest poppy known to man when November comes around
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) March 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/seidodge/status/1108769020373856257
the IRA have issued a statement distancing themselves from Declan Rice
— mick (@mickthetaig) March 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/eoinpwalsh/status/1108773644744998912
Declan Rice proudly shows off new Tattoo on eve of England Debut #Euro2020 #upthera pic.twitter.com/tgIlDAGXWH
— Klingon Emperor of Ireland (@TheGrandOMalley) March 21, 2019
SPORT NEWS: England players refuse to share room with Declan Rice due to hygiene concerns.#upthera pic.twitter.com/SonbUnxChW
— Féach News (@_FeachNews) March 22, 2019
Declan Rice’s statement pic.twitter.com/i1AMH6wg33
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) March 21, 2019
Declan Rice joins up with the England Squad… pic.twitter.com/OFXDIuONS6
— Joe O'Shea (@josefoshea) March 21, 2019
Declan Rice should move into Rory Best's house til this all blows over pic.twitter.com/491KwUU5uC
— Kevin Byrne (@KevByrneBox) March 21, 2019
It’s getting worse for the poor chap! #declanrice pic.twitter.com/0fEgPBP0oi
— Glen Loughran (@glenio1234) March 21, 2019
BREAKING Declan Rice Declares For UVF pic.twitter.com/TpNVwNz6KG
— Mallow News (@MallowNews) March 21, 2019
Every Irish person looking on as Declan Rice sings “God Save the Queen” pic.twitter.com/E15yOQgTC2
— Jon Carroll (@jonner6) March 21, 2019
Rare photo of Declan Rice in training pic.twitter.com/cbDp9U4LcR
— Irish, Republican & Proud (@IRP1916) March 21, 2019
Nobody:
16-year-old Declan Rice: pic.twitter.com/kf4c7TBumX
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) March 21, 2019
Hiding in plain sight all along…#declanrice #upthera pic.twitter.com/QTqIFvMqdX
— Jürgeneedabiggerboat (@Razor_LFCDT) March 21, 2019
When Declan Rice finds out you’re in the IRA pic.twitter.com/rYOazhdx5M
— Ireland Simpsons Fans (@iresimpsonsfans) March 21, 2019
So it turns out that Declan Rice was more Brady's Ham than West Ham.
— Conor Wilson (@ConorWilson) March 21, 2019
Declan Rice’s next post match interview. pic.twitter.com/qptOAxrxqi
— Patrick (@PatchJS) March 21, 2019
No one:
Declan Rice: pic.twitter.com/1zfrJyhD1x
— LF (@LF_1906) March 21, 2019
In fairness who hasn't at some point tweeted 'Up the Ra' while playing junior football with Ireland, only to decide later to play for England while proudly declaring your Englishness? We've all been there. Give him a break. #declanrice
— Joe Donnelly (@kildarejoe) March 21, 2019
Michael Conlon, Alan Partridge, Declan Rice. It's been a great week for the 'RA
— ConorMcKeon (@ConorMcKn) March 21, 2019
Well that's it, @_DeclanRice's cover is blown. He was given a secret IRA mission to destroy the English football team from within, but has failed to hide his IRA past. Rice isn't an Irish traitor, he's just incompetent. #declanrice #upthera
— Ian Burke (@ComedyBurke) March 22, 2019
Declan Rice statement: pic.twitter.com/zo0Kwvqzoy
— Munster Derby Facts (@munsderbyfacts) March 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/shaney9ss/status/1109156500818280451
https://twitter.com/odranwaldo/status/1108756310814793728
Would Declan Rice be the first player to be capped by England to have expressed pro-IRA sentiments?
— Neil O'Riordan (@noriordan) March 21, 2019
Will Declan Rice sing the English National Anthem tonight?
1/8 Yes
5/1 Nohttps://t.co/pKdW1L7xts pic.twitter.com/aNzYXzRSK8— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/pjgallagher/status/1108810919264641024