Irish supporters' group calls for Old Trafford boycott

The Irish Football Supporters' Association (IFSA) has urged Irish fans to boycott Old Trafford in protest at the alleged role Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson played in the decision by Roy Keane to retire from international football.

IFSA General Secretary, Mr Alan Hunter, suggested that "men like Ferguson" would destroy football "because of the enormous power they wield over individual players with a total disregard for national sentiment".

Established in 1970, the association represents supporters of GAA, rugby and soccer and claims to have up to 50,000 members on its data-base.

Mr Hunter also suggested that Keane's "forced retirement" in a club versus country tug-of-war was a scenario that could be repeated with John O'Shea, a defender at the same club.

It is reported that Ferguson is annoyed by the suggestion he was behind Keane's retirement. Manchester United this afternoon issued a statement saying their manager and Keane were eager that the player return to the Republic of Ireland squad.

The club said it "has been in no-one's interest to persuade Roy Keane to retire from international football. Based purely on medical grounds and not football issues, Roy has decided to do what is best for him and his family."

"Before Roy went to meet Brian Kerr he sat down with Manchester United's medical team, Dr Mike Stone and physio Rob Swire, and felt the FAI needed to be made aware of all the medical issues. Dr Mike Stone sent a medical report to Brian Kerr explaining the nature of Roy's injury.

"Roy Keane had undergone hip surgery in September 2002. The orthopaedic surgeon said it was a serious potential career-threatening injury. With slow and very careful rehabilitation Roy has made a good recovery from surgery.

Keano will probably like Dennis Irwin, play his best soccer; now that he's hung up his international boots. The Irish Football Supporters' Association's chairman Alan Hunter

"The possibility of retirement from the game following the surgery was discussed but Roy decided this was not the course of action he wanted to take.

"It is self-evident that being able to give Roy periods of rest if his hip becomes a problem is likely to prolong his career. This is possible within a club situation. The break he gets during international games can only be of benefit to him.

"From a strictly medical viewpoint, once the decision to continue playing was taken, any way of limiting the number of games he plays is in Roy's best interests," the club said.

Mr Hunter also seems to take on board the benefits of Keane's international retirement will have on his playing career with his club.

In the same statement calling for a boycott on Old Trafford Mr Hunter said: "Keano will probably like Dennis Irwin, play his best soccer; now that he's hung up his international boots".