Roy Keane insists he still had the support of some of his Republic of Ireland team-mates even after his bust-up with Mick McCarthy.
The Manchester United midfielder was ordered home from the World Cup on Thursday following the blazing row between the captain and his manager, after he had given an interview in The Irish Timescriticising the team's training base in Saipan.
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He arrived back at his Cheshire home yesterday, and while he gave no comment to the reporters and photographers outside his house, he did give his version of events to the
Mail on Sunday
.
"Mick showed the players a copy of the Irish Timesand an interview I had done. He said I was turning against the players. It just wasn't true," said Keane.
"But he said that if I couldn't respect him then I shouldn't play for him and that's when I walked out. When I left the room I felt I was on my own.
"But at the team hotel, following the meeting, several players came to see me.
"Niall Quinn and Steve Staunton also had a word and said I had stepped out of line.
"They were entitled to their opinion. But at that point I didn't realise they had already spoken to the press about me.
Keane has reiterated his dismay at the Republic's lack of preparation and poor training facilities out in the Far East.
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Roy Keane during a happier moment in Saipan
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He said: "Frankly, the players were joking on the bus that it was like playing for the Dog and Duck.
"Many of them agreed with me that the training pitch and the other part of the preparations were just a complete nonsense. The pitch was rock hard and players were at risk.
"Not only that - we were supposed to have salt water drinks to keep us in shape. They hadn't arrived. Neither had the skips so we were left without boots or training kit. We had to use our casual wear for training. It was chaos. Just a joke. "I went to see Mick in his room three days before it finally blew up. I told him of my concerns.
"He agreed with the points I made to him, but nothing happened.
Keane claims his slanging-match with McCarthy, in front of his team-mates, arose after the boss accused him of faking injury in previous internationals.
He said: "I have huge pride in the Irish nation and that has not altered. But I will never be accused of faking injury and letting down my country, particularly when the accusations are made in front of the rest of the players.
"That's why I reacted the way I did and I don't feel sorry about any aspect of it.
Keane has, however, rubbished reports that he attacked McCarthy's right to manage Ireland despite being an Englishman.
Keane also reveals that his feud with McCarthy is a long-running affair which dates back to the mid-1990s.
Keane opened the door to playing for his country again if McCarthy leaves, but he has dismissed the possibility of apologising for his outburst and returning to the World Cup.
"There is absolutely no chance of that happening, never in a million years," he declared.
"People are saying it is up to me to apologise. That's very funny. I think it should be the other way round.
"I won't be going back to Japan. Maybe, just maybe, there is a slight chance I could play for Ireland again once Mick McCarthy is no longer the manager."
PA