Keane gets time to respond to FA charge

Roy Keane has been granted a 48-hour extension to the deadline for responding to his two Football Association disciplinary charges.

The 31-year-old Manchester United skipper has previously indicated he would fight the charges, which both centre around allegations made in his recently-released autobiography.

An FA statement confirmed: “Further to requests from Roy Keane, the Football Association can confirm they have agreed a 48-hour extension to the deadline in which the player has to respond to the two FA charges he faces.”

Keane is facing at least another month on the sidelines after undergoing a knee operation which could coincide with any ban he might face.

In his book, Keane claimed he had deliberately set out to injure Manchester City midfielder Alfie Haaland during the derby match at Old Trafford in April last year.

The FA have charged Keane with deliberately setting out to injure an opponent and also that he has profited from his revelations.

Apart from a hefty fine, the United captain is also facing the prospect of an eight-match ban.

The FA have informed Keane‘s club about the change to the deadline, adding: “Manchester United have been made aware of this information. It is not unusual in disciplinary cases for extensions to be granted for players to respond. In this case it is now 5pm on Friday.”