McCarthy says only apology from Keane will work

McCarthy says only apology from Keane will bring him back.

Since Roy Keane was sacked as team captain and told to pack his bags in Saipan on Thursday of last week, speculation has been rife that reconciliation between manager and captain could be reached and that Keane would return. Today that speculation appears to be at an end.

Repeating a statement delivered to his players earlier today, Mick McCarthy told members of the press in Izumo this lunchtime that it was his understanding that Keane's interview last night would carry a public apology.

When that apology didn't arrive he decided Keane would not play for Ireland at the World Cup finals.

"If I feel the need to apologise then I go to the person but from seeing what I did this morning I felt there was no need for that."

McCarthy made his feelings clear to his players this morning, and they voted unanimously to back their manager.

He then denied suggestions that he had given his players an ultimatum - over how they should vote.

"I didn’t give them an ultimatum, no recommendation to be honest. I left it with the players and if the players wanted that reversed I would go with them, I would back them."

General Secretary of the FAI Brendan Menton went on to add that if even at late stage that if an apology was to be made, Mick McCarthy would then discuss the matter with his players and staff before taking him back.