Keane: I would have got jail for my tackling

SUNDERLAND manager Roy Keane admits he would have gone to prison had Sepp Blatter’s demand for some tackles to be made a criminal offence come into force while he was a player.

FIFA president Blatter wants those who deliberately make dangerous challenges to face legal action.

Keane was one of the finest midfield tacklers of his generation but there were occasions when the former Manchester United captain went over the top.

Most infamous was a knee-high lunge on Alf Inge Haaland during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford in 2001, which Keane later revealed was a pre-meditated revenge attack for a spat started in 1997.

Speaking ahead of his side’s clash against Everton tomorrow, Keane said: “I have to be careful with this subject. I would have been doing a bit of ‘porridge’ myself!

“People in the media have been saying some of the tackles have been horrendous. I’ve heard before that if it happened in the street then you might be charged with assault.

“I know there’s been one or two court cases over the years. You’re opening a can of worms there — I think you’d have to be very careful.”

Keane will expect his players to be hard but fair when high-flying Everton travel to the Stadium of Light. Everton hammered his side 7-1 at Goodison Park.

“A lot of people will remember that game,” said Keane. “But I tend to focus more on the reaction of the players that week and the following weekend we managed to get a win.

“So that gives me great hope for the football club in terms of the type of characters we’ve got.”

He added: “We got a good hiding there earlier in the season but it’s a game we’re looking forward to.”

Sunderland, two points above the relegation zone, will look to make it five straight home league wins.

Keane will welcome back defender Danny Collins from suspension, while Liam Miller could return after his high-profile transfer-listing for poor time-keeping.