The sporting world’s reaction to Brexit; James McClean account deleted after tweet

Sports stars throughout Ireland and the UK have reacted with shock to the news that Britain has voted to leave the EU.

British sports stars will be most affected and there has been an overwhelmingly negative online reaction.

U kip for a couple of hours and look what happens. What have we gone and done?

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 24, 2016

A vote for Farage, Boris & a recession well done to the over 50's for thinking of the future!

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) June 24, 2016

The disgusting lies already coming to the fore. https://t.co/QRaihfOn41

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 24, 2016

Obama " You f@@@@d that up mate" https://t.co/bPTReBeT2V

— Gary Neville (@GNev2) June 24, 2016

Gutted. Should 'politics' be a compulsory school-taught subject or do we just leave the biased media and Farage 'teach' us?Uneducated vote 😟

— Jamie Roberts (@Jamiehuwroberts) June 24, 2016

Given that Northern Ireland voted to Remain, it’s no surprise that Rory McIlroy is unimpressed with the result.

Ireland international and Derry native James McClean initially appeared to welcome the news in a tweet, but his account has since been deleted.

Many Irish stars have also expressed shock at the news

Holy good Lord God!!! https://t.co/jhS8TK9WWD

— Noel Hunt (@Noelhunt20) June 24, 2016

the world has changed over night.

— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) June 24, 2016

There’s even been a suggestion that applying GAA rules could have avoided the whole thing.

It remains to be seen what effect the result will have on sport in Britain, with The Guardian suggesting today that the end of freedom of movement could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for the Premier League.