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European Qualifiers: Football Association of Ireland give backing to Roy Keane after team hotel altercation

The FAI has released a statement supporting assistant manager Roy Keane
Image: The FAI has released a statement supporting assistant manager Roy Keane

The Football Association of Ireland has voiced its support for Roy Keane amid allegations that he was involved in an altercation at the team hotel.

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The FAI issued a statement on Wednesday night as reports circulated after Gardai had been called to the team hotel in Portmarnock earlier in the day.

The statement said: "Following inaccurate media reports which refer to an incident involving a member of the public this evening at the Republic of Ireland team hotel, we wish to clarify that Roy Keane called the Gardai following the incident.

"The manager, Martin O'Neill and the FAI are fully aware of the circumstances surrounding this event, and the assistant manager has their full support."

A Garda spokesman confirmed officers received reports of an incident at a hotel in north Dublin. The incident occurred at 3.30pm.

An ambulance was also called to the scene, but it is not clear whether someone was assessed at the hotel or if they required further treatment.

"Gardai are investigating an incident which occurred at a hotel in Portmarnock in the late afternoon," the Garda spokesman said.

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No arrest was made and the spokesman said no complaint has been made.

The Ireland squad is due to fly out of Dublin on Thursday afternoon for Glasgow, where they face Scotland in vital European Qualifier on Friday evening.

Martin O'Neill's men are currently joint top of Group D after taking seven points from their opening three games.

O'Neill and assistant boss Keane celebrated a year in charge of the Ireland team earlier this month.

Watch Scotland v Ireland live on Sky Sports 5 on Friday from 7pm

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