Taoiseach willing to intervene in FAI-Keane dispute

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has reportedly offered to mediate in any attempt to resolve the row that led to Roy Keane being sent home from the World Cup yesterday.

Mr Ahern has apparently contacted both Keane and the FAI to signal his readiness to intervene in the dispute.

Keane was sent home yesterday after sharply criticising Ireland’s preparations for the competition and after allegedly calling Mick McCarthy a "crap" manager and coach.

Opinion on the incident appears divide between the pro-Keane and pro-McCarthy camps. Senior members of the World Cup squad, including Niall Quinn and Steve Staunton, have come out in support of the manager, but former international Denis Irwin has backed Keane’s stance.

Football pundits are also divided, with John Giles saying McCarthy was right to exert his authority and Eamon Dunphy describing his decision as a "monumental” mistake".

Dunphy said Keane was punished for standing up to the FAI.