FIFA rules out bid to replace Keane with Healy

FIFA yesterday ruled out the FAI’s attempt to co-opt Celtic’s Colin Healy into the squad as a replacement for Roy Keane. Brendan Menton, general secretary, said FIFA insisted on applying the rule governing replacements.

FIFA informed the FAI it could only replace a player if it was able to its application with a medical certificate proving Keane was injured. Neither could the circumstances be classified as exceptional, the only other classification mentioned in the FIFA rule.