The Football Association of Ireland today backed the decision by Republic of Ireland manager "Mick McCarthy and the players" to sack team captain Roy Keane following an outburst over training conditions and other issues.
At a specially organised press conference at FAI headquarters this afternoon, Honoury Treasurer Mr John Delaney read out a statement which said the association "viewed the events with great regret but that the decision of the manager is fully supported by the organisation".
Keane had sensationally pulled out of the World Cup on Tuesday night following a bitter row with goalkeeping coach Packie Bonner and goalkeeper Alan Kelly. It was later revealed that the captain was unhappy with the training facilities and the media arrangements since the squad got together in Dublin last week.
However, following discussions with Manchester United manager Alex Fergsuon and his agent Mr Michael Kennedy, Keane decided to return to the squad. But today in a lengthy interview with The Irish Times, Keane revealed in detail his concerns but made it plain that he felt the matter was over.
|
He expressed annoyance about unnamed members of the squad's entourage and said he would be retiring from the international set-up after the World Cup. When asked would he reconsider his position, Keane responded: "Unless there's drastic changes. No."
In the interview he said more than once that he wanted a simple life and referred on several occasions to missing his family. While it is not clear what part of the interview caused offence and to whom, it seems clear that when the manager discussed the matter with the player, Keane became abusive.
At a press conference in Saipan this morning, McCarthy revealed Keane was sent home after the meeting developed into a "slanging match".
|
The Republic boss said: "I cannot and will not tolerate being spoken to with that level of abuse being thrown at me so I sent him home".
The FAI today revealed that a meeting of all players and coaching staff was convened and "the consensus of the meeting was that Roy's remarks were totally unacceptable".
McCarthy described Keane as "a disruptive influence" on the team at the Saipan press conference.
"Roy Keane will be taking no part in the World Cup - he is going home. There has been an uneasy feeling around the place for a few days. I was asked today for my comments about remarks he made in a newspaper article and I don't want to be doing that throughout the World Cup because doing tit-for-tat in the media is not my way.
|
|
Roy Keane during a training session in Saipan
|
"I called a meeting at 7.30 p.m. (10.30 a.m. Irish time). I got everyone together because I felt it was important to air any grievances among the players or staff," McCarthy said.
"I asked anybody to make their comments and unfortunately it became a slanging match. I cannot and will not tolerate being spoken to with that level of abuse being thrown at me so I sent him home.
"We all know his ability but when he makes a public and open show of his opinions and makes such public criticisms everybody starts talking about it.
"He is one of the best players in the world but he is a disruptive influence. I asked him as captain to give his opinions and I was prepared to be reasonable and rational," the Irish manager said.
"I know this is one of the biggest stories of the World Cup and it is my decision and I stand by it 100 per cent. I did it with the best interests of the team at heart when I said he [Keane] should go home".
"You don't see too many complaints from anyone else here. But sometimes Roy sees the world through his eyes only.
"I am tired of it. When he wanted to go home the other day he said it was for personal reasons. I said: 'Is it me? Is it the training ground? Is it the flight? Is it the media circus at the airport?' But he just said: 'It's none of these, it's personal, it's me, it's me'".
McCarthy added: "All the players here have a had a great time relaxing but maybe Roy has missed the point. This is a weight off my mind. I came here to enjoy the World Cup and I was stopping enjoying it. But from tomorrow I am going to start enjoying it again.
"As a player, a coach, and a person I will not tolerate the things he said to me. This is a huge decision but I am happy to go to the World Cup one man down rather than with a man who shows utter disregard and disrespect for me".
McCarthy was sitting near FAI president Mr Milo Corcoran, who backed the manager's decision. McCarthy was also flanked by three senior players at the press conference - Steve Staunton, who replaces Keane as captain; Niall Quinn and Alan Kelly.
Meanwhile, McCarthy will attempt to call Celtic's Colin Healy into the squad. The deadline for registering players has passed but Mr Delaney today said teh FAI would attempt to get special dispensation from FIFA to have Healy included.
But FIFA spokesman Mr Andreas Herren, confirmed the Republic would be most unlikely to draft anyone in to replace Keane.
Eamon Dunphy, who is writing Keane's biography, claimed the player was a victim of his own courage and professionalism. He said: "The management couldn't take the criticism which was well deserved and this is disastrous.
"It's bad news for Irish soccer and the morale of the team will suffer. Their ability to accomplish the task is diminished and in who's interest this is, I'm not sure".