Reports have suggested Derry have sought to terminate McClean’s contract in recent months due to persistent injuries, an issue highlighted in a statement by the PFAI on Tuesday.
The statement said Derry attempted to invoke Standard Players’ Agreement 18, which allows the player to terminate his contract with six months’ notice if he is deemed to be “permanently incapacitated” as certified by an independent doctor.
“It is incomprehensible for any club to feel it is normal to attempt to terminate a player’s contract without due process or reason, and it sets a dangerous precedent for every player in this league,” McClean said.
“I’m not permanently unfit or anything remotely close to that. I’m capable of contributing and doing well in the League of Ireland. I train hard and give hard like everybody else.”
“I will make a decision when I retire. No one else will make that decision for me. My body will tell me when that time comes. This is my life and my career. I deserve the same care and fairness as the majority of other players at Derry City FC.”
The PFAI has provided further information regarding the nature and extent of the player’s injury.
“In short, James has had a hip injury that has caused him intermittent problems. It has caused him to miss some games and occasional practices,” the statement read.
“He sought medical treatment for it and is now fit and well.
“He has trained fully over the last nine weeks and prepared himself for selection. He recently played in a domestic match organized by the club. He believes he can help the team and no satisfactory reason has been given for his exclusion.”
BBC Sport NI contacted Derry City for comment, but a spokesman said the club was currently “focused solely on this weekend’s FAI Cup semi-final against Galway United (Saturday, 15:00 kick-off).