FAI voices support for Keane

13 November 2014 00:01

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

The FAI issued a statement late on Wednesday night after 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.

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 Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday evening.

Martin O'Neill's men are currently joint top of Group D after taking seven of the first nine points available to them.

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

Source: PA