Soccer: Irish skipper sent home for abuse

World Cup training ground bust-ups were the order of the day yesterday, one of which resulted in Ireland captain Roy Keane being sensationally sent home.

The other, which eventually ended in handshakes, involved Sweden's Freddie Ljungberg and team-mate Olof Mellberg.

Keane was dismissed from Ireland's training camp on the island of Saipan after a furious row with coach Mick McCarthy.

"Sanity is more important," was Keane's verdict after what McCarthy described as a "slanging match" between the two men, which took place in front of the Irish team.

The Football Association of Ireland backed McCarthy and said the consensus among players and coaching staff at a meeting was that recent remarks by Keane were "totally unacceptable."

Keane, Ireland's only truly world-class player, had strongly criticised training facilities and the team's preparation on Saipan.

McCarthy decided that the volatile Manchester United midfielder was a disruptive influence, undermining team morale.

"I cannot and will not tolerate being spoken to with that level of abuse being thrown at me so I sent him home," McCarthy said.

"I have made the right decision, not only for the benefit of me but for the squad."

Keane plunged the Irish squad into turmoil on Thursday when he said he planned to go home, only to reverse his decision hours later. But then his stand-up row with McCarthy yesterday led to his sacking.

Keane had said on Thursday: "I've come over here to do well and I want people around me to want to do well.

"If I feel we're not all wanting the same things, there's no point. It's been going on a while," the 30-year-old said.

"I'm banging my head against a brick wall regarding certain issues about this trip. From the training facilities to all sorts. This trip is the tip of the iceberg.

"You've seen the training pitch and I'm not being a prima donna. Training pitch, travel arrangements, getting through the bloody airport when we were leaving, it's the combination of things."

Keane said the final straw had been when no goalkeepers were involved in an end-of-training five-a-side game on Thursday.

The disagreement ended in a row involving Keane and goalkeeping coach Packie Bonner as well as goalkeeper Alan Kelly.

Keane received little support from team-mates or Jack Charlton, who managed him at the 1994 World Cup finals.

"I think when Roy sits down and thinks about what he's done he will have a few regrets," Charlton said.

"Roy has made a mistake and has got to live with the consequences. He has got to face the anger of the fans."

Steve Staunton, who has taken over the captaincy, was left stunned by Keane's behaviour.

"It was unacceptable and I'm not going to say anything different to what's been said," Staunton said. "I've never witnessed anything like it in my life and there is a line you can't cross, and unfortunately Roy has crossed it."

While Keane was self-destructing in Saipan, Ljungberg and Aston Villa defender Mellberg were losing their heads in Miyazaki.

Ljungberg was furious at a lunging tackle by Mellberg and lashed out with his fists before both players tumbled to the ground. The incident interrupted training for a few minutes before the two players shook hands.

- REUTERS

More Soccer World Cup stories

Team lists | Schedule | Previous Winners

Interactive graphics:
Draws and team profiles