A BBC Radio Ulster presenter who previously claimed he was "Irish and British" has come under fire for a tweet saying he was "proud to be British" after the England v Colombia match.
Tuesday night's big match saw the Three Lions progress to the quarter-finals of World Cup 2018 after winning a penalty shoot-out for the first time ever in the international tournament.
One viewer firmly behind Harry Kane and his teammates was The Nolan Show presenter Stephen Nolan, who tweeted his pride in "being British" after the result.
The 44-year-old Belfast native tweeted: "Incredible what football and sport does . I’m proud to be British today ."
Incredible what football and sport does .
I’m proud to be British today .— Stephen Nolan (@StephenNolan) July 3, 2018
The radio host came under fire from fans who accused him of "fence sitting" regarding his identity, given his past claims to be proud of his Irishness.
Some fence sitting you do pic.twitter.com/vvPeq4tJn3
— Gary Dunlop (@GaryDunlop_) July 3, 2018
You lost your Irish passport then
— Jim Gallaher (@jimcupra) July 3, 2018
I thought you have a passport that says your an Irish citizen
— Paul Mc Cann (@unclepauliemc) July 3, 2018
— Eóin Gillan (@eoing6) July 3, 2018
You aren't mate. Norn Iron isn't part of Britain.
— Frank Dux (@GazzDMUFC) July 3, 2018
It's hardly the first time Nolan has been subject to online backlash, especially after he stood for the Irish national anthem at the McGregor vs Mayweather boxing bout in 2017.
The Northern Irish radio host was watching the fight live in Las Vegas when social media users took exception to one of his tweets.
After Dublin singer Imelda May gave an impassioned rendition of the Irish national anthem Amhran na bhFiann (Soldier’s Song), Nolan tweeted from ringside: "I'm currently standing for the Irish anthem in Vegas & I got an Irish passport this year."
I'm currently standing for the Irish anthem in Vegas & I got an Irish passport this year . Still British . #swingbothways
— Stephen Nolan (@StephenNolan) August 27, 2017
See More: Radio, Stephen Nolan, Ulster, World Cup
