Keane: infamous D’Urso charge was 100% wrong

ROY KEANE was in repentant mood yesterday about his past indiscretions as he entered the debate over refereeing standards.

Keane’s Sunderland entertain Liverpool at the Stadium of Light today, six days after the Reds were denied victory at home to Chelsea when referee Rob Styles awarded a penalty that should never have been.

Styles paid the price this week when he was dropped for this weekend’s fixtures.

But Keane, who in his Manchester United days infamously led a furious charge at referee Andy D’Urso, has sympathised with Styles and his brethren and admitted he was “totally wrong” to react the way he did in the game against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford seven years ago.

Keane has drilled the importance of discipline into his players, saying: “We speak to them regularly about behaving themselves properly. I think there’s a way to appeal against a decision and there’s a way not to.

“That might sound harsh coming from me, but I certainly know I made mistakes. Obviously there was the famous incident against Middlesbrough and I was totally wrong — 100% wrong.

“There’s no point chasing and barging referees like we see a lot of managers doing. For players, bookings and sendings-off take a toll — and I had a few of them. It might sound strange coming from me, but I didn’t learn quickly enough.

“I do believe a lot of people are putting too much pressure on referees. I know I did as a player. The pressures are intense now for everyone. I don’t really speak to referees after games because I think you need a cooling-off period. I speak to the match assessor, sometimes 48 hours after the game. Give refs a break — that’s what I say.”

Keane was also on the defensive as he took the rap over the failure of Sunderland striker Anthony Stokes to report for Ireland Under-21 duty.

Don Givens delivered a stinging rebuke to Stokes and Sunderland after the 19-year-old pulled out with a groin injury but neglected to contact the Under-21 boss.

In what will be seen as Keane attempting to protect his striking prodigy from further flak, the Sunderland manager accepted responsibility for a “communication” breakdown.

Keane conceded: “There was an issue with Anthony after last weekend. I eventually spoke to Don later in the week and we’ve sorted it out. Obviously there was a problem with communication and I take responsibility for that.

“Don understands and obviously, after last weekend’s game at Wigan, we knew Anthony had a bit of a niggle, but the intention was still for him to go to Ireland, get treatment, but not to play in the game.

“But Anthony thought he had been given permission not to travel, so it was just a simple lack of communication. It’s history now. I have spoken with Don and he’s fine with it. That’s the end of the matter as far as I’m concerned.”

Liverpool’s lavish summer spending has heaped the pressure on manager Rafa Benitez to bring the club their first Premier League title.

Keane, however, said: “You can spend £20billion but it doesn’t guarantee you anything. I think they have a chance this year, the best chance they have had in a while. They have a brilliant manager, so why not?”

The Black Cats have been hit by another big injury blow with skipper Dean Whitehead facing up to five weeks out.

Whitehead suffered a knee injury in training which forced him to miss last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Wigan.

Keane confirmed: “Dean will be out for four or five weeks and he’s a massive loss to us, just like it was when we lost Carlos.”

Keane has a further worry over defender Paul McShane after the Irish international had 10 stitches inserted in a head wound against Wigan.

Keane said: “It’s right in the middle of his forehead and he does like to head the ball, but he’s a tough lad and we’ll see if we can get him some protective headgear. If he has any chance, hopefully he’ll play.”

Meanwhile, Keane has sealed the signing of former Newcastle striker Andy Cole on a free transfer. Cole, 35, was released by Portsmouth this summer and penned a one-year deal after passing a medical yesterday afternoon.

Keane, who played alongside Cole at Man. United, said: “Coley has had a few clubs, but I’ve played with him and I know he likes to win. I have always got on with him — but that might change now I’m the manager.

‘‘But a player with Andy’s history — you look at his goals record and his experience, and he is someone we had to consider.

Keane’s former Ireland team-mate, left-back Ian Harte, and Ghana centre-back Samuel Kuffour are also on Wearside with a view to signing.

“They have been training very well with us and we’ll probably be making a decision over the next 24 hours,” said Keane.