Roy Keane banned over autobiography
Last Updated: Tuesday, February 11, 2003 | 5:15 PM ET
CBC Sports
Keane, 31, was banned five games beginning Nov. 4 and fined a record $368,625 after being found guilty on two counts of misconduct that brought disrepute to the game of soccer.
The native of Cork, Ireland, who is currently recovering from Sept. 3 hip surgery, can appeal the suspension within 14 days.
"Clearly, after the arguments that have been put forward in Roy's defence, we are disappointed with the verdict," United director Maurice Watkins said. "After such a long day, now is not the time to make quick decisions, so we will be reviewing the question of appeal over the next few days."
Roy Keane was so angry at the World Cup, he was sent home.(AP Photo)
Both FA charges stemmed from Keane's recently-published autobiography, in which he admitted intent to injure Alfie Inge Haaland of Manchester City on Apr. 21, 2001.
Keane sought revenge against the Norwegian, who accused him of feigning serious injury following a previous altercation three years earlier.
Keane missed eight months with cruciate ligament damage in his knee.
Roy Keane, right, is suspended five games pending an appeal.(AP Photo)
"I waited almost 180 minutes for Alfie, three years if you looked at it another way," Keane recalled in his book.
"I'd waited long enough. I hit him hard.
"The ball was there (I think). Take that."
Keane, whose two-footed, knee-high challenge hurt Haaland, claimed the autobiographical account was embellished by ghostwriter Eamon Dunphy.
But the three-man FA disciplinary committee hearing ruled Keane's actions were "improperly motivated" and imposed the penalty.
The first charge focused on Keane's tackle, for which he received a red card.
The second charge revolved around his profiting from a published account of it.
"We don't see how Roy has brought the game into disrepute," said Michael Kennedy, Keane's lawyer. "This issue concerns the Human Rights Act and the belief in the freedom of speech."
Keane has attracted plenty of controversy since succeeding Eric Cantona as United captain in August 1997.
The fiery midfielder has been red-carded 10 times in Premier League play and was recently suspended for elbowing.
Prior to the 2002 World Cup, Keane was sent home by Ireland after clashing with head coach Mick McCarthy.
"I got dragged into a war I never wanted to fight, a war that is still going on," McCarthy said. "It seems clear he sees no chance of reconciliation between us.
"It's obvious now that he hates me with a vengeance. If I had known how deeply he hated me, I would have tried to resolve it, but it doesn't bother me now."
Seven years ago, Ireland scratched him for six games for vacationing in Italy instead of attending a national team training session.
Twelve years ago, Keane was scolded by then-Irish head coach Jack Charlton for oversleeping as the team waited on a bus.
And as a teenager with Nottingham Forest, he was twice tossed from nightclubs for brawling.
with files from CP Online
