Back me or I quit - McCarthy

Ireland boss Mick McCarthy has threatened to quit if his position is undermined as a result of the Roy Keane affair.

McCarthy took a hard line with his captain after the Manchester United midfielder criticised the squad’s preparations and then launched an astonishing verbal attack on his international boss.

Keane was sent home with his Republic of Ireland career seemingly over and in the ensuing furore McCarthy has already turned down requests from Football Association of Ireland officials and even the Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern to reconsider his decision.

And McCarthy insists he does not want Ireland’s World Cup to be judged solely on the Keane affair.

‘‘I will not be reporting to the FAI on this issue and I don’t see any reason why I should,’’ said McCarthy.

‘‘I am in charge of team affairs and I expect the FAI to back me. They have done so in this instance but if there is ever the slightest hint that I am not in charge of what happens to this team, then I will be gone.

‘‘I am aware that this is the big story going into the World Cup finals but Roy is gone now and he will have no affect on how we do in Japan.

‘‘I hope people judge us on how we do here with the 22 players who want to be here and are happy to be here,’’ he told www.sports.com

McCarthy, who has two years to run on his contract, has already received a vote of support from FAI president Milo Corcoran and general secretary Brendan Menton.

‘‘We are with Mick and not with Roy on this one,’’ said president Corcoran.

‘‘If Roy ever wants to play international football again he has to apologise to Mick.’’

Menton, who arrived in Japan on Friday with ideas that he could patch up the row, is also behind the manager.

‘‘I have spoken to Mick and the players and I am 100% happy that he did the right thing. I fully support his actions and there is no way back for Roy now,’’ he said.