2002 Roy Keane incident
Encyclopedia
The Roy Keane
incident was a public quarrel in May 2002 between Republic of Ireland national football team
's captain Roy Keane
and manager Mick McCarthy
when the team was preparing for its matches in Japan
in the 2002 FIFA World Cup
. It resulted in Keane, the key player, leaving the squad. The general public in Ireland was divided about apportioning blame for the incident.
. Since his senior debut under the reins of Jack Charlton
and then-captain McCarthy, Keane had perceived problems with the preparations of the Irish side. He regarded the Football Association of Ireland
(FAI)'s preparations as unprofessional and challenged both Charlton and McCarthy in a number of notable incidents.
Among Keane's issues with Irish management were the conditions of the training field, travel arrangements (which made the players sit in second class seats on flights, while FAI officials sat in first class), strategy, expectations, diet and McCarthy's competence. In his autobiography, Keane said that before a World Cup
qualifier away versus the Netherlands, the Irish players were eating cheese sandwiches because pasta, the proper diet before games, was not available.
was selected by an FAI delegation as an initial base. From the management perspective the time was considered a period of relative rest and recreation at the end of a long season before moving to Japan to up the preparation levels for the tournament. Keane, on the other hand, who is reputed to have told Alex Ferguson
that he was going to the World Cup "to win it", viewed it as a period of preparation for the World Cup Finals. He therefore became dissatisfied when facilities and general preparation did not match his expectations.
On 21 May Keane decided he was going home. Two days later Keane was sent home by McCarthy.
became aware of the developing row, as did several Irish newspapers. Because of its isolated location, there were certain stories circulating about the event which were all critical of Keane. The
Daily Star newspaper had been a harsh critic of Keane for months in the run up to the competition. This included persistent allegations about Keane's commitment to the Irish football team.
Keane gave an interview to leading sports journalist Tom Humphries
, of the Irish broadsheet daily newspaper The Irish Times
, to present his case to the Irish people. In retrospect this proved to be a major scoop for the Irish Times. In the article, Keane listed the events and concerns which had led him to decide to leave the team. This article included details and references to the preparations that had been set in place for the Irish team. This would be an indirect implication that the event was organized as a junket for FAI officialdom. The article was seen as a direct affront to the authority of the Irish manager, and the competence of the FAI.
Niall Quinn
observed in his autobiography that "Roy Keane's 10-minute oration [against Mick McCarthy] … was clinical, fierce, earth-shattering to the person on the end of it and it ultimately caused a huge controversy in Irish society." But at the same time, he was also critical of Keane's stance, saying that "[He] left us in Saipan, not the other way round. And he punished himself more than any of us by not coming back."
None of his team-mates voiced support for Keane during the meeting, though some later expressed their support to him privately. Keane mentioned in his autobiography that Gary Breen
and David Connolly
visited his room. Senior players Steve Staunton
and Niall Quinn
seemed to take the side of McCarthy, and the FAI, in the argument that followed. Staunton was the most loyal to the FAI line of the argument. He was later given the captaincy in Keane's absence.
During a team meeting at which McCarthy allegedly accused Keane of feigning injury, Keane became indignant. McCarthy decided that Keane's position was untenable in the light of the article. Keane refused to back down. McCarthy then sent Keane home.
, Keane and McCarthy failed to resolve the conflict and Keane missed the World Cup. Keane gave an interview concerning the controversy to RTÉ and when asked if it was possible to go back he did not deny that he might. Despite McCarthy's having stated that the door was open and all Keane had to do was pick up the phone, Keane refused and reportedly did not even watch the matches on television. The Irish football team were defeated in a penalty shootout by Spain
in the second round.
in a qualifying match
for the European Championship
, for which Ireland were strong favourites to win. Ireland lost to a badly resourced Russian team 4-2, who had played badly in the World Cup. This was followed by a "booing" episode in Ireland's next qualifier against Switzerland
, with many fans blaming McCarthy. Ireland lost the game 2-1 at Landsdowne Road. In the face of rebellion on the terraces, a decrease in support for the national team, and consequent declining attendance revenues, the FAI decided to remove McCarthy. Ireland then failed to qualify for any major tournament until 2011, when after beating Estonia they qualified for the 2012 European Championships. The appointment of Brian Kerr as team manager in 2003 led to Keane's return to international football on 27 May 2004, in a friendly match against Romania
at Lansdowne Road
. He played his final international game the following year, having been capped 67 times for the nation since 1991. He retired from playing at club level a year later.
and Keane's Sunderland
. The televised famous handshake between the two men received considerable media attention. In April 2007, the managers again met in another match, and Keane praised McCarthy for his work in Sunderland previous to Keane's tenure there.
, opened in Dublin. The play, written by Arthur Mathews
, Michael Nugent
, and Paul Woodfull
, represented the incident as a mock-epic melodrama about a Roman legion preparing for war. Keane attended a performance of the show, which ran in Dublin until May 2008.
In an echo of the incident, three main cast members, including Mario Rosenstock
, who portrayed "Keano" (the play's version of Roy Keane), left the show early in its first run, leading to media articles about life imitating art
imitating life
.
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
incident was a public quarrel in May 2002 between Republic of Ireland national football team
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
's captain Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
and manager Mick McCarthy
Mick McCarthy
Michael Joseph "Mick" McCarthy is an English-born former Irish international footballer who is currently the manager of Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he has been in charge since July 2006....
when the team was preparing for its matches in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
. It resulted in Keane, the key player, leaving the squad. The general public in Ireland was divided about apportioning blame for the incident.
Background
Prior to the incident, Keane was captain of the Irish national teamRepublic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
. Since his senior debut under the reins of Jack Charlton
Jack Charlton
John "Jack" Charlton, OBE, DL is a former footballer and manager who played for Leeds United in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and was part of the England team who won the 1966 World Cup...
and then-captain McCarthy, Keane had perceived problems with the preparations of the Irish side. He regarded the Football Association of Ireland
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
(FAI)'s preparations as unprofessional and challenged both Charlton and McCarthy in a number of notable incidents.
Among Keane's issues with Irish management were the conditions of the training field, travel arrangements (which made the players sit in second class seats on flights, while FAI officials sat in first class), strategy, expectations, diet and McCarthy's competence. In his autobiography, Keane said that before a World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
qualifier away versus the Netherlands, the Irish players were eating cheese sandwiches because pasta, the proper diet before games, was not available.
World Cup preparation
The island of SaipanSaipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
was selected by an FAI delegation as an initial base. From the management perspective the time was considered a period of relative rest and recreation at the end of a long season before moving to Japan to up the preparation levels for the tournament. Keane, on the other hand, who is reputed to have told Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
that he was going to the World Cup "to win it", viewed it as a period of preparation for the World Cup Finals. He therefore became dissatisfied when facilities and general preparation did not match his expectations.
On 21 May Keane decided he was going home. Two days later Keane was sent home by McCarthy.
The media
Irish broadcaster RTÉRaidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
became aware of the developing row, as did several Irish newspapers. Because of its isolated location, there were certain stories circulating about the event which were all critical of Keane. The
Daily Star newspaper had been a harsh critic of Keane for months in the run up to the competition. This included persistent allegations about Keane's commitment to the Irish football team.
Keane gave an interview to leading sports journalist Tom Humphries
Tom Humphries
Tom Humphries is a sportswriter and columnist who writes for The Irish Times. He lives in Dublin with Mary and his two children, Molly and Caitlín....
, of the Irish broadsheet daily newspaper The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
, to present his case to the Irish people. In retrospect this proved to be a major scoop for the Irish Times. In the article, Keane listed the events and concerns which had led him to decide to leave the team. This article included details and references to the preparations that had been set in place for the Irish team. This would be an indirect implication that the event was organized as a junket for FAI officialdom. The article was seen as a direct affront to the authority of the Irish manager, and the competence of the FAI.
The incident
The Irish Times article increased tensions greatly. McCarthy decided to question Keane about the article. In a team meeting McCarthy held up a copy of the article and asked "What's this all about?" Keane then unleashed a stinging verbal tirade against McCarthy: "Mick, you're a liar … you're a fucking wanker. I didn't rate you as a player, I don't rate you as a manager, and I don't rate you as a person. You're a fucking wanker and you can stick your World Cup up your arse. The only reason I have any dealings with you is that somehow you are the manager of my country! You can stick it up your bollocks."Niall Quinn
Niall Quinn
Niall John Quinn honorary MBE is a former Irish international footballer, and the ex-chairman of Sunderland AFC. He still works at the club as an overseas manager. He is also heavily involved in the management side of horse racing...
observed in his autobiography that "Roy Keane's 10-minute oration [against Mick McCarthy] … was clinical, fierce, earth-shattering to the person on the end of it and it ultimately caused a huge controversy in Irish society." But at the same time, he was also critical of Keane's stance, saying that "[He] left us in Saipan, not the other way round. And he punished himself more than any of us by not coming back."
None of his team-mates voiced support for Keane during the meeting, though some later expressed their support to him privately. Keane mentioned in his autobiography that Gary Breen
Gary Breen
Gary Patrick Breen is an Irish footballer who made more than 500 appearances in the Football League and Premier League. He played for numerous clubs over a 20-year career, including more than 100 appearances each for Coventry City and Sunderland...
and David Connolly
David Connolly
David James Connolly is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Southampton. He has previously played for various clubs including Feyenoord and Excelsior in the Netherlands as well as Wigan Athletic and Sunderland in the Premier League.Although born in England, Connolly has...
visited his room. Senior players Steve Staunton
Steve Staunton
Stephen "Steve" Staunton is an Irish association football manager and former professional footballer, who was most recently manager of Darlington...
and Niall Quinn
Niall Quinn
Niall John Quinn honorary MBE is a former Irish international footballer, and the ex-chairman of Sunderland AFC. He still works at the club as an overseas manager. He is also heavily involved in the management side of horse racing...
seemed to take the side of McCarthy, and the FAI, in the argument that followed. Staunton was the most loyal to the FAI line of the argument. He was later given the captaincy in Keane's absence.
During a team meeting at which McCarthy allegedly accused Keane of feigning injury, Keane became indignant. McCarthy decided that Keane's position was untenable in the light of the article. Keane refused to back down. McCarthy then sent Keane home.
Consequences
Despite the efforts of the media and the TaoiseachBertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
, Keane and McCarthy failed to resolve the conflict and Keane missed the World Cup. Keane gave an interview concerning the controversy to RTÉ and when asked if it was possible to go back he did not deny that he might. Despite McCarthy's having stated that the door was open and all Keane had to do was pick up the phone, Keane refused and reportedly did not even watch the matches on television. The Irish football team were defeated in a penalty shootout by Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
in the second round.
The Genesis Report
The FAI commissioned a report from external consultants Genesis, into its World Cup preparations. The "Genesis Report" agreed with many of Keane's criticisms, finding that the FAI structure was not conducive to good planning and making a range of recommendations. The complete report was never published for legal reasons. [What were they?] Brendan Menton resigned as FAI General Secretary at this time, and the media linked the two events, though Menton denied this.McCarthy's departure
Roy Keane stated that he would not play again for Ireland under McCarthy, and in his autobiography even said that his former national team coach could 'rot in hell'. McCarthy continued as national team manager and Ireland then played RussiaRussia national football team
The Russia national football team represents Russia in association football and is controlled by the Russian Football Union , the governing body for football in Russia. Russia's home grounds are Luzhniki Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium , and Petrovsky Stadium in St.Petersburg and their head coach is...
in a qualifying match
2004 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying
Qualification for the 2004 UEFA European Football Championship took place between September 2002 and November 2003.Fifty teams were divided into ten groups, with each team playing the others in their group twice, once at home and once away...
for the European Championship
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
, for which Ireland were strong favourites to win. Ireland lost to a badly resourced Russian team 4-2, who had played badly in the World Cup. This was followed by a "booing" episode in Ireland's next qualifier against Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, with many fans blaming McCarthy. Ireland lost the game 2-1 at Landsdowne Road. In the face of rebellion on the terraces, a decrease in support for the national team, and consequent declining attendance revenues, the FAI decided to remove McCarthy. Ireland then failed to qualify for any major tournament until 2011, when after beating Estonia they qualified for the 2012 European Championships. The appointment of Brian Kerr as team manager in 2003 led to Keane's return to international football on 27 May 2004, in a friendly match against Romania
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
at Lansdowne Road
Lansdowne Road
Lansdowne Road was a stadium in Dublin owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union that has been the location of a number of sports stadiums. It was used primarily for rugby union and for association football matches as well as some music concerts...
. He played his final international game the following year, having been capped 67 times for the nation since 1991. He retired from playing at club level a year later.
Settling differences
As of November 2006, Keane appeared to have mended the fences with McCarthy when the two men settled their differences via a phone call ahead of a match between McCarthy's Wolverhampton WanderersWolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
and Keane's Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
. The televised famous handshake between the two men received considerable media attention. In April 2007, the managers again met in another match, and Keane praised McCarthy for his work in Sunderland previous to Keane's tenure there.
Popular culture
In 2005, a musical comedy play parodying the incident and its key players, I, KeanoI, Keano
I, Keano is a comedy musical play about footballer Roy Keane leaving the Republic of Ireland national football team before the 2002 FIFA World Cup....
, opened in Dublin. The play, written by Arthur Mathews
Arthur Mathews (writer)
Arthur Mathews is an Irish comedy writer and actor who, often with writing partner Graham Linehan, has either written or contributed to a number of popular television comedies, most notably Father Ted. He is a graduate of the Dublin Institute of Technology...
, Michael Nugent
Michael Nugent
Michael Nugent is an Irish writer and activist. He has written or co-written five books and the comedy musical play I, Keano. He has campaigned on many political issues, often with his late wife Anne Holliday, and he is chairperson of the advocacy group Atheist Ireland...
, and Paul Woodfull
Paul Woodfull
Paul Woodfull is an Irish writer, actor, comedian and musician. He has written two television series, a CD and the comedy musical play I, Keano. He is a graduate of the National College of Art and Design in Dublin...
, represented the incident as a mock-epic melodrama about a Roman legion preparing for war. Keane attended a performance of the show, which ran in Dublin until May 2008.
In an echo of the incident, three main cast members, including Mario Rosenstock
Mario Rosenstock
Mario Rosenstock born 31 August 1971, is an Irish actor, comedian, impressionist and musician who is best known for his parody music singles and his role in the Gift Grub comedy series on Irish radio station Today FM....
, who portrayed "Keano" (the play's version of Roy Keane), left the show early in its first run, leading to media articles about life imitating art
Life imitating art
-The Philosophical Position:Anti-mimesis is a philosophical position that holds the direct opposite of mimesis. Its most notable proponent is Oscar Wilde, who held in his 1889 essay The Decay of Lying that "Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life"...
imitating life
Mimesis
Mimesis , from μιμεῖσθαι , "to imitate," from μῖμος , "imitator, actor") is a critical and philosophical term that carries a wide range of meanings, which include imitation, representation, mimicry, imitatio, receptivity, nonsensuous similarity, the act of resembling, the act of expression, and the...
.