FAI refuses to respond to Keane accusations

THE FAI yesterday chose not to comment on the revelations and accusations in Roy Keane’s autobiography.

General secretary Brendan Menton was not available because he is on holiday and the association’s official line is “no comment” until the results of the independent inquiry into its World Cup arrangements are delivered.

Keane changed his mind about leaving the Irish training camp prior to the World Cup only to be sent home by manager Mick McCarthy within another two days. He was stridently critical of the manager and his preparations as well as the FAI arrangements.

In excerpts from the book that were published yesterday he gave his account of the clash with McCarthy at a meeting of players and staff in Saipan that led to his dismissal. He accused the manager of setting him up at the meeting.

The FAI made public its reaction to the clash between McCarthy and Keane in Saipan at that time and in the days immediately following Keane’s arrival home.

Officers of the Association several times stated it was backing the manager’s stand.

There have been reports of secret efforts to broker peace between the manager and player in recent weeks but it was patently obvious from early days that this was tantamount to tilting at windmills.

Keane is reported to have said in his book that he will never again play for Ireland while McCarthy is manager.

But he also said he would re-consider his position in two years time if the FAI did not renew McCarthy’s contract for the 2006 World Cup qualifying tournament.

The Irish manager was not available to react to any of the material published over the past four days. It is certain that when he reports to Dublin next week to prepare the team for the friendly against Finland in Helsinki on Wednesday week he will refuse to accept any questions on the issue.

McCarthy is scheduled to produce his own autobiography within the next six weeks. It is inconceivable to think he would allow a book go to print without including in it his summary of events in Saipan. It is likely he will review his six years as Ireland boss with reference to Keane’s role in that era.

Meanwhile, the FAI will wait for the completion of the review of the World Cup preparations before making further statements about the clash between manager and player.

An official yesterday said: “We have no desire to get involved in any further controversy. As far as we are concerned Roy Keane has written his own agenda in this whole affair.

“He first said he was going home from Saipan. Then after he had been advised by a number of people he changed his mind, presenting the manager with the embarrassing task of having to ring Colin Healy and telling him not to travel. Then came the row.

“Roy Keane must have his own reasons for opening up this entire affair again.

“I believe the FAI are best advised to let the inquiry proceed with its work without getting involved in this.

“Instead the FAI should try and learn from it and improve our structures and our organisation so we are not mired in this type of controversy ever again.”