No World Cup U-turn for Keane

Roy Keane has tonight turned down the chance to rejoin the Irish World Cup squad.

Keane, thrown out of Ireland’s squad following a bust-up with manager Mick McCarthy, has released a statement saying he did not think it was in the best interests of the game, fans and players for him to return to the World Cup.

In a statement to RTE, Keane said: ‘‘I do not consider that the best interests of Irish football will be served by my returning to the World Cup. The damage has been done.’’

The Football Association of Ireland’s John Delaney said that this was closure in the matter.

McCarthy suggested earlier today that an apology from Keane might be acceptable, leaving the door open for his late return to the squad ahead of Ireland’s opening World Cup game against Cameroon on June 1.

But Keane said it would not help his former colleagues in the Far East for speculation to continue.

‘‘In the interests of all genuine supporters of Irish football the time has now arrived when I should bring a conclusion to the continuing speculation with regard to my participation in the World Cup and for the players to concentrate fully on their preparations for the competition free from all further distractions,’’ he said.

‘‘Whilst I appreciate all the support which I have received I do not consider that the best interests of Irish football will be served by my returning to the World Cup.

‘‘The damage has been done. I wish the team and the management all the best.

‘‘They have my full support throughout the competition and I urge all the people of Ireland to give their support to the team and I do not feel that any useful purpose will be served by my making any further comment.’’

Keane’s chances of playing in the tournament had been fading fast after the team today backed McCarthy and declared they were ‘‘in no doubt that the interests of the squad are best served without Roy’s presence’’.

But senior Ireland player Niall Quinn disclosed that if Keane had apologised to McCarthy in the television interview he gave to RTE on Monday, he would have been allowed back into the squad.

At an emotional news conference, Sunderland striker Quinn said there had been rumours Keane was to apologise for his behaviour.

McCarthy would have taken back Keane ‘‘without a shadow of a doubt’’ until they saw the full transcript of the interview, said Quinn, who admitted to being ‘‘drained’’ by the whole affair.

Earlier, FAI spokesman Brendan McKenna said: ‘‘Regrettably the manner of Roy’s behaviour prior to his departure from Saipan and the comments attributed to him since have left the staff and players in no doubt that the interests of the squad are best served without Roy’s presence.’’

Asked if an apology would be enough, McCarthy said: ‘‘Has there been one? It’s hypothetical. The call needs to come, doesn’t it.’’

Rather than apologising during the interview, Keane called some team mates ‘‘cowards’’ for refusing to back him.

He said he would ‘‘love to play’’ in the World Cup, but added: ‘‘The ball is not in my court. My gut feeling is that what happened to me last week was wrong. I would not wish it on anybody.’’

Bertie Ahern commented on the affair for the second day running and Dublin radio phone-ins were swamped with calls.

Barristers, clergymen and industrial relations experts called radio stations to suggest solutions.

Mr Ahern said: ‘‘Everybody in the country will be unhappy if this is not sorted out.

‘‘It is getting very close to the most important match we have played in a long number of years and really, from the Irish public’s point of view, we need to move on whatever the resolution of today. Today seems like the last day.’’