ROY KEANE believes that Ireland have only themselves to blame for failing to qualify for the World Cup and says that, instead of protesting about Thierry Henry’s handball and calling for a replay, they should just "get over it".
And in a withering attack on John Delaney – in the course of which he recalled Saipan in 2002 – Keane accused the FAI chief executive of double standards in trying to get the game against France replayed. Keane also refused to condemn Henry, instead pointing the finger of blame at poor Irish defending and wasted chances in front of goal in both legs of the play-off against France.
The Ipswich Town manager said: "Ireland had chances at Croke Park and in Paris but didn’t take them. France were there for the taking but Ireland never grabbed it – as usual.
"They were afraid of that next step and were mentally not strong enough. They can complain all they want. That is not going to change anything. France are going to the World Cup – get over it.
"They want sympathy as usual. It is the usual carry on and it is boring."
Keane accused the Irish defence, and ‘keeper Shay Given, of failing to prevent France’s controversial winning goal by William Gallas.
He said: "I have been amazed at the commotion over the past few days. Of course Henry handled but I would be more focused about why the ball wasn’t cleared. I’d be more annoyed at my defenders and my goalkeeper than Henry. How can you let Henry get goal side of you? How can you let the ball bounce in the box?"
The former Ireland captain doesn’t believe the game should be replayed, pointing out that Ireland did not call for a replay after a controversial penalty saw them beat Georgia in the group stages.
Said Keane: "It is the usual FAI reaction – ‘we’ve been robbed’ but there was one of the group matches when Ireland got a penalty for a hand ball and no one had even appealed for it. It was one of the worst decisions I have ever seen and it changed the course of the game, and the group.
"Robbie Keane scored the penalty and Ireland went on to win but I don’t remember the FAI saying ‘you know what, the referee made a howler, let’s give them a replay."
Keane dismissed suggestions that Henry cheated in setting up William Gallas’ extra time winner. He said: "It was instinct for Henry. Would I call him a cheat? No I wouldn’t think so. Did he bend the rule a little? Maybe. You see cheating going on all the time in games. Nobody wants a cheat. I wouldn’t agree that Henry is a cheat. He is a top, top player who took advantage of the situation."
Keane also condemned FAI boss Delaney’s appeal to the game’s governing body FIFA – in which he charged that the integrity of football has been damaged – with the Cork man’s comments yesterday proving that the Saipan saga of seven years ago still rankles with him.
Keane said: "John Delaney talks about the honesty and integrity of the game but I would not take any notice of that man. People forget what went on in the World Cup in 2002 and that man talks about honesty.
"He didn’t even have the courtesy to call me, all he said when he was interviewed was I was on the Island somewhere. I have been involved with Ireland since I was 15 years but he didn’t have the decency to make a call.
"He knew where to find me – he could have tried my hotel room – and he goes on about the honesty of the game. In 2002 he is at a press conference and he is asked where a player, who has represented Ireland since he was 15-years of age, was and he said ‘I don’t know where he is. I don’t even know if he is on the island or not.’ ‘He didn’t even want to listen to my side of the story after my disagreement with Mick. He is the chief executive yet didn’t have the courtesy to call me, even when I went back to play for Ireland – walking past me in the corridor of a hotel. Yet this man is on the television talking about the integrity of the game and the honesty, asking what is football all about?"
Keane feels Ireland should have beaten France over the two legs.
He said: "I don’t feel he game has been damaged one bit. If you look over the course of the campaign, Ireland had the chances. They never took the chance in the first game. In the second game we had opportunities and should have scored and didn’t take it."
Keane shrugged off suggestions that FIFA might act if it was England or France who had lost out.
He said: "Managers, who are English, were being interviewed about Ireland as if they would be bothered. Do you think they stay awake at night worrying about Ireland? It’s a nonsense. If it was England I wouldn’t be worried. It is an over-reaction from everybody which is usual in Ireland.
"We have had the discussion about video technology before, we all agree with that. It is this idea that Ireland was robbed and they deserve a replay – no. The Irish supporters, the manager and most of the players probably deserve better but I’m not sure the FAI deserve better. What goes around comes around."
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, November 21, 2009
