Fresh FAI warning for Trap in Kelly row

With Giovanni Trapattoni having previously been warned by the FAI that he needed to put a stop to his media outbursts about Ireland players, apparent evidence of fresh tension between the association and the manager has surfaced in the wake of Stephen Kelly’s stinging response to the Italian’s claim that the player had issued a ‘play me or I go’ ultimatum.

The FAI’s curt response to the latest twist in the controversy was implicitly critical of Trapattoni, with a spokesman saying yesterday: “Everyone knows that Giovanni is a great manager with a lot of experience but the association feels team matters like the one before the Faroe Islands that was reported yesterday should really be dealt with in private.”

The FAI comment came after Kelly had issued a furious statement in response to remarks Traattoni made about him during a press conference in Dublin on Thursday. Having previously denied that there had been a falling out with the player, before explaining his absence from the squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Poland on the grounds that he was being “rested” to allow the manager an opportunity to try other options, Trapattoni suddenly changed tack, claiming that, prior to the trip to the Faroes in October, Kelly had threatened to walk out if he was not guaranteed a place in the team.