FAI slam Keane 'side show'

Keane: Outspoken

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Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney has advised Roy Keane to 'learn from the past, not live in it'.

The Ipswich Town boss, and former Republic of Ireland international, made the headlines this week with an outspoken blast against his fellow countrymen.

With Ireland up in arms following their controversial clash with France, which dashed their hopes of reaching the 2010 World Cup, it appeared a nation had united.

Thierry Henry's blatant handball which helped France to edge through to South Africa had led to widespread calls for the play-off contest in Paris to be replayed.

Keane, though, hit out at the Irish, claiming he has no sympathy for the situation they find themselves in.

Delaney has now offered his response to those quotes, with the FAI supremo of the opinion that Keane still holds a grudge dating back to when he was sent home from the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea for speaking out against the coaching staff and training facilities.

Move on

"It's just a side show for me," he told Sky Sports News.

"We have all moved on from Saipan - Niall Quinn, Mick McCarthy, the FAI and all the players - but it seems to me that he hasn't.

"It's time for him now, in my opinion, to learn from the past, not live in it.

"I thought the images, which were shown around the world, of the press conference that he did, they were sad. It was sad to see a great former player reflected in the manner of what he did.

"I think he needs to forget about Saipan and move on, because everyone else has."