FAI to probe handling of Keane expulsion

THE FAI is to set up an independent investigation into its handling of Roy Keane’s expulsion from the World Cup.

Speaking in Japan yesterday, general secretary Brendan Menton said the inquiry will take place after the competition finishes.

However, the FAI has defended its actions during Keane’s dismissal from the Irish training camp in Saipan and its organisation for the World Cup.

"I think this is the best organised World Cup ever for Ireland in terms of logistics, arrangements, the facilities," said Mr Menton.

He said the board could handle the investigation without Keane’s contribution.

"I think the facts of how we performed can be established without Roy Keane’s contribution. I think we know exactly what was where and when. We know all the logistics of this backwards, but I think there are just some facts that need to be established," said Mr Menton.

Keane had criticised the FAI’s travel arrangements for the World Cup before becoming embroiled in a row over training and facilities. The Manchester United captain was sent home a week before the start of the finals and said he would never play for Ireland again under McCarthy. Mr Menton said McCarthy was aware of efforts to set up the investigation.

"We have a reputation for washing our dirty linen in public," said Mr Menton. "We have to treat this professionally and I’ve spoken to my staff about it. I think they’ve done a fantastic job. None of us have any difficulties at all in terms of what this will throw up. I hope this may be a sign of how we as an organisation have grown up, how we handle this."

He said some members of the FAI were en-route to Tokyo from Amsterdam when the row in Saipan developed.

"We’re aware of the divisions that were created in Ireland and we were trying to manage this in mid-air, from Saipan, from Izumo and from Ireland.

"We’re aware of the difficulties that were created back in Ireland and I think that is where it is going to be aimed at, to go back and show that the FAI actually did a good job in organising this," said Mr Menton.

He said he would be content if the investigation "establishes the maturity of the association. It should establish the facts and then be prepared to take whatever comes and heal the divisions within the football community in Ireland".

The FAI, which backed McCarthy after Keane was sent home, did not give a date for the completion of the review, but said it would be made public.

Key Questions

* Who was responsible for the Saipan training facilities fiasco?

* Why did Brendan Menton jet off to a conference in Seoul in the middle of the bust up?

* Why did the FAI not heed the warnings on their inadequate press and PR back-up?

* Why did the FAI compound their difficulties by abandoning Keane in a hotel room?

* Will heads roll if the inquiry finds people did not do their job?