Angry Keane lashes out at FAI

News round-up: Roy Keane, never known as an admirer of the FAI, made plain his disdain again yesterday morning, saying the reason his Sunderland players Liam Miller and David Connolly were left out of Steve Staunton's latest Republic squad was down to "politics" and, in Miller's case, being "from Cork". Keane said the situation is "a disgrace".

"Are you telling me there are better players on better form than Connolly and Miller? There's obviously been a fallout," said Keane. "Connolly had a fallout a few years ago. Liam Miller came back from Cyprus with a bad foot injury and not been picked since, when he was clearly injured.

"Dave had a falling-out with Don Givens a few years ago. Don's involved with the under-21s and they all talk to each other. Dave has scored maybe eight in the last 10, 11 games.

"What's holding back Liam Miller is the fact that he's from Cork - without a doubt. People think I'm crazy for saying that, but I'm not. They don't know the FAI as well as I do."

Anthony Stokes, one of the "Barnsley Three" left off the Sunderland team bus last week, has been included but, as Keane pointed out, Stokes is from Dublin. "There's no doubt a lot of politics are involved and it does irritate me."

Nor will Staunton appreciate Keane's view that being manager of Sunderland "is a bigger job in every way than Ireland, especially when I make my own decisions and I'm not being influenced by anyone".

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho has urged his captain John Terry and Frank Lampard to stay at the club and be part of Chelsea's future history with him.

The Portuguese coach says he has urged the pair to listen to their hearts before choosing whether to stay at the club but insists he will respect whatever decision they ultimately make.

England midfielder Lampard is currently waiting for a formal offer from the club but his agent, Steve Kutner, met with Juventus vice-president Roberto Bettega and their general manager, Alessio Secco, on Wednesday. Kutner has since denied the conversation involved the future of his client but Lampard's contract situation is prompting a number of top European clubs to monitor his situation.

Terry is reported to have been unhappy with the length and the terms of his contract-extension offer. The England skipper wants pay parity with top earners Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack at Stamford Bridge.

They are reported to be earning around £130,000 a week, and Terry is allegedly unhappy he has been offered only five years instead of his desired nine.

Mourinho confided, however, that he has told the pair there is no reason for them to quit the club but will not interfere with the decision-making process.

Mourinho declared: "I told them that what they have in their hearts is more important than any advice. I don't want to make decisions for players. I want to educate my kids to make their own decisions - good decisions but their own decisions.

"The players have families, wives and fathers. Their fathers and wives are more important than the manager. Their decision is their decision and I will always respect it.

"My opinion is they belong to Chelsea, they belong to Chelsea history. Chelsea's success and history is with them."

• Guardian Service