By Alan Duffy
Now here’s a story to get the media into a frenzy! According to a growing number of media sources, Gardaí were called to an incident at the Republic of Ireland’s hotel in Portmarnock outside Dublin on Wednesday night, ahead of their Euro 2016 clash with Scotland. Reports suggest that the police were called after coach Roy Keane allegedly punched a fan.
The Daily Mail quote a “source”, who said:
“It appeared fairly innocuous. A man approached Roy outside the hotel, there appeared to be a few heated words and then the man was on the ground.
“It happened very quickly. Gardai were called along with the ambulance services and the man was taken away to receive medical attention.”
In the interests of bringing you the facts of the matter, we have fired up the Pies’ news helicopter and will know more when we get there (or when more info comes out on Twitter).
One thing is for sure though, if it is true this’ll make for a rather entertaining chapter in Mr. Keane’s next book.
UPDATE: According to BBC Sport, The FAI have gone on record as saying they back Keane over the incident and that Ireland’s assistant coach retains the associations’s “full support” following “inaccurate media reports”.
“We wish to clarify that Roy Keane called the Gardai following the incident,” read an FAI statement.
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.”
The Gardai also confirmed that no arrest was made and no complaint has been received.