Linfield threatens to sue Keane over book remarks

THE controversy surrounding Roy Keane’s autobiography erupted again yesterday after Northern Irish club Linfield threatened to sue the Manchester United skipper.

Linfield officials are incensed at allegations made in Keane's book which the club says are "disgraceful".

The news comes just as the troubled Corkman was reported to have bought a stg£2.5m mock Edwardian mansion at an exclusive new address in Cheshire.

It is believed the star decided on the move after his present home was besieged by the world's press after the summer's heated World Cup incident.

The latest controversy comes hot on the heels of Saturday's sending off and the prospect of legal action following comments made about his infamous tackle on Alfie Haaland in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford last year.

Even if Haaland is advised not to take the matter further, Keane is almost certain to face a Football Association charge later this week after hinting his horrendous tackle on the Norwegian had been premeditated.

The 31-year-old attempted to take some of the heat out of that particular situation at the weekend by stating he had "never deliberately set out to injure any opponent". In the same interview he also admitted that as far as he was concerned, current Republic of Ireland chief Mick McCarthy could "rot in hell".

Keane's latest legal wrangle involves comments made about the atmosphere at Linfield's Windsor Park home before the vital 1993 World Cup qualifier between the North and the Republic. Keane stated: "Linfield was a Protestant club. For the first in its history Linfield had recently signed a Catholic, a decision that caused great controversy.

"The player, who was also black, another major problem for Linfield's bigoted supporters, didn't last long (nor did the manager who signed him)."

Linfield chairman Billy McCoubrey yesterday insisted the claims were inaccurate and said the club's legal advisers would decide whether to take action.

"It is a disgrace," he said. "Linfield Football Club has had Catholic players since the post-war era, including some famous internationals.

"Roy Coyle was the manager who signed two black players and he left the club of his own accord after 13 years.

"One of the black players, Tony Coly, is still a hero among the Linfield support for the outstanding service he gave the club and he was signed five years before the international Roy Keane is talking about."