Taoiseach stays neutral as Keane flies home

Roy Keane left the Pacific island of Saipan alone a day after being kicked out of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup team by Mick McCarthy.

Keane flew to Japan where he is expected to take a flight back to Britain, reportedly on a private jet sent by his club Manchester United.

Keane was thrown out of the team after a row with manager McCarthy prompted by interviews in which the midfielder criticised the Irish training set-up.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern stayed strictly neutral in the controversy, despite being touted as a possible conciliator in the row.

Ahern, a Manchester United fan as well as an Irish supporter, said only that he had been "disappointed" by the developments.