FIFA reject Keane stand-in plea

The Republic of Ireland must go into the World Cup a man down after FIFA rejected their request to replace axed skipper Roy Keane.

The Football Association of Ireland wanted permission to fill the gap in their squad left by Keane, who was sent home in disgrace from the warm-up camp in Saipan after a blazing row with Republic boss Mick McCarthy.

But FIFA rules stipulate a player can only be replaced on the grounds of injury, as with the case of England’s Trevor Sinclair replacing the injured Danny Murphy.

FAI general secretary Brendan Menton revealed that FIFA had rejected their request because Keane had not been injured when he left the squad.

Keane had been plagued by a knee problem in recent weeks, but the Irish would have had to have provided FIFA with a medical certificate proving that the Manchester United skipper was unfit to play at the World Cup.

Given that Keane had initially indicated he would like to rejoin the squad after returning home, securing such a certificate was never likely to be a starter.

FIFA’s ruling ends any hopes Ireland had of bringing out Celtic midfielder Colin Healy as a replacement for Keane.

It also brings to an end a lengthy saga which began when Keane, unhappy with Ireland’s preparations, decided to go home.

McCarthy sent for Healy as a replacement but, before the deadline for submitting his squad to FIFA, Keane had a change of heart and rejoined the squad.

It was a short-lived reunion. Keane went public with a list of complaints about Ireland’s warm-up camp on the western Pacific island of Saipan.

That led to a confrontation with McCarthy in a players’ meeting in which Keane hurled abuse at the Irish coach.

McCarthy sent his skipper and star player packing, a decision backed by his players and, despite moves by forces outside the squad to secure Keane’s return, he refused to apologise to McCarthy and eventually agreed that it would be better if he stayed at home.

Once Keane’s fate was settled attention turned to whether or not he could be replaced.

But, as injury was not the reason for his withdrawal, Ireland were never going to succeed in persuading FIFA that it was.

All of which leaves Healy, who was almost at a World Cup finals, having his hopes dashed.

The Republic of Ireland kick-off their World Cup bid against Cameroon tomorrow in Niigata.

FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren, confirming why Ireland’s request to replace Keane had been rejected, said: ‘‘It was reiterated by FIFA that a player can only be replaced when a medical certificate displays a serious injury or illness. Ireland did not produce that certificate.

‘‘Also the replacement must be completed 24 hours before the team’s first-round match and that time has passed for Ireland.’’