Keane told to 'shut up' by head of Irish football
Sunday, 17 Feb 2008 14:54
Roy Keane was critical over the way the FAI carried out its search for a new manager
The head of Irish football has launched a scathing attack on Roy Keane over the
Sunderland boss' criticism of his governing body.
Keane has been a vocal critic of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), recently claiming it was doing "everything backwards".
FAI this week unveiled Italian Giovanni Trapattoni as the new Republic of Ireland manager after a long search for a successor to Steve Staunton.
John Delaney, the FAI chief, said he is sick of Keane voicing his views about his association.
"The only criticism I'd have of Sunderland would be their manager giving his weekly report about Irish football, cork hurling and all that he does," Delaney told the Irish Sunday Mirror.
"We don't comment on the players he's bought or where they are in the league.
"He looks very good on deflecting from his own issues. I think what he should do is concentrate on what he has to do.
"If anything we have been supportive of what they (Sunderland) are doing with the Irish connection in that regard. From my point of view he should get on with his job."
Keane famously fell out with the FAI at the 2002 World Cup, after walking out of the tournament following a bust-up with boss Mick McCarthy.
Delaney said the ex-
Manchester United captain's comments about the FAI are unfair as it has changed the way it is run.
"The inaccuracies that come out from him are what bothers me, like last week he said we cut corners," Delaney said.
"But Liam Miller was injured (in the friendly defeat) against Brazil, and he should remember that only two or three countries insure their players, and we're one of them.
"So we do our business properly in that regard. It's the constant looking to the past and not understanding what we're about today."