Haaland lawyer: punishment 'could be beneficial'

Alf Inge Haaland’s lawyer believes the Football Association’s decision to punish Roy Keane for controversial revelations in his autobiography could be beneficial to any legal action Haaland decides to take.

Haaland and his club Manchester City are considering taking Keane to court after the United player injured the Norwegian with a knee-high tackle during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on April 21, 2001.

Yesterday, Keane was hit by a record fine of £150,000 (€237,500) and a five-game ban after being found guilty of two charges of bringing the game into disrepute, and Dag Steinfeldt claims the punishment could add ammunition to Haaland’s case.

“You could say it was positive, but then again, it wasn’t unexpected,” Steinfeldt told www.nettavisen.no.

The lawyer feels they will have to convince the courts that Keane acted intentionally, that Haaland’s injury was a direct result of Keane’s tackle and that Haaland has suffered financially because of the injury.

The Norwegian has not completed a full match since damaging his knee in the incident and though he is still training, it is looking increasingly likely that he will be forced into early retirement.

Steinfeldt added: “We’re working on preparing the lawsuit and, although it’s impossible to say when it will happen, I don’t think we’re too far away. I think it could well happen before the New Year.”