Roy to escape video censure

ROY KEANE looks set to escape disciplinary action after courting more controversy in a new video.

The 31-year-old Manchester United skipper received a five-match ban and record £150,000 (€236,000) fine after being found guilty of two disrepute charges arising out of comments made in his recently-released autobiography.

Against his own wishes, Keane decided not to appeal against the punishment, feeling his row with Manchester City midfielder Alfie Haaland needed to be put to rest.

However, in a new video, Keane, who has still to make a decision on whether he will return to the international scene following the resignation of coach Mick McCarthy, claimed he wished he had punched Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer following a fracas at St James’ Park last year which resulted in the United man’s dismissal.

“I was sent off for pushing him,” Keane is reported as saying in his video As I See It. “If you are going to get sent off, you might as well punch him properly. It’s the same punishment. You might as well get hung for a sheep as a lamb.”

However, FA officials do not believe this latest row to be serious and because Keane was suspended following his dismissal at Newcastle, are of the opinion the matter has been dealt with.

Keane was in the Old Trafford stands to watch United seal top spot in Champions League Group F with a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night. Although he is unlikely to be fit for the first two matches of the second stage, he should be back in action by the time the competition resumes in December.

Meanwhile Wolves winger Mark Kennedy has pulled out of the Republic of Ireland squad to face Greece in a friendly match next week. The winger was withdrawn by Wolves boss Dave Jones as a precaution, although he is expected to play in Saturday’s Division One game at Coventry.

Kennedy has been sidelined since March after sustaining a groin injury which forced him to miss the World Cup.

He got his first taste of league action this season when he came on as a substitute for George Ndah during the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth last week and played a full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Brighton on Monday.

Assistant manager John Ward claimed Kennedy’s withdrawal from the Ireland squad was “purely a precaution”.

He said: “With Mark’s recovery still in it’s infancy it was decided there was no point in risking him.”

Wolves boss Jones said: “I’m very pleased that the FAI understood our position. They came to the Portsmouth game and thought Mark looked good but, given the circumstances and the fact it’s only a friendly, they have agreed to our request and I thank Don Givens for that.”