Jason McAteer has admitted he would “shake Roy Keane’s hand” regardless of claiming he was “assaulted” by his former team-mate on the pitch.
The two former Republic of Ireland midfielders, now pundits, share an extended and bitter historical past. They initially grew shut forward of preparation for the 2002 World Cup, earlier than Keane’s notorious bust-up with supervisor Mick McCarthy in entrance of the whole squad led the Ireland captain to depart the camp in Saipan earlier than the event had even begun.
Following the incident in May 2002, Keane and McAteer met on the pitch for Manchester United and Sunderland respectively within the Premier League. They ended up exchanging phrases earlier than Keane viciously elbowed his compatriot within the facet of the pinnacle, incomes him a crimson card in stoppage time.
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McAteer went on to name out Keane for “quitting” on his Ireland team-mates in his 2017 autobiography, saying the United legend was their “leader, captain and best player”. Their feud returned to the forefront in November 2023 when Keane addressed his crimson card on the Stick to Football podcast.
The 52-year-old mentioned McAteer deserved what he acquired, earlier than including: “Just because you play with someone doesn’t mean you’re mates. Do you know what, he was one of these players who shout their mouths off.
“I didn’t mind lads kicking me or booting me, honestly, but McAteer as usual had plenty to say for himself.”
(Image: Video Grabs)
(Image: Daily Mirror)
Now McAteer has make clear their on-field fracas, saying Keane’s actions in odd life can be thought-about assault. But the beIN Sports pundit additionally revealed he’s prepared to bury the hatchet greater than 20 years on.
He advised Under The Cosh: “The season started and he went around kicking s***ts out of Ireland players, venting his frustration. He came to the Stadium of Light in August 2002, his book had just come out that weekend.
”I ran off him for the equaliser which I don’t suppose he appreciated. I bear in mind operating off him once more and smashing it from about 30 yards which the keeper saved.
Who do you suppose was at fault for the feud? Let us know within the feedback part under.
“Me and him had it off in the middle of the park. He nipped in front and done me, I pulled him back and he elbowed me. He was telling me he was going to rip my head off, do this and that. He said something and I went, ‘Just put it in your next book, I’m sure I’ll read about it d***head’.
“He calmed down then waited for the last 30 seconds of the game. He ran past me and just went bosh, and elbowed me on the side of the head.”
McAteer addressed their recently-revived antipathy, revealing the pair have met a couple of instances since at eating places, the place Keane has ignored him. He recalled holding a door open for Keane at Wembley Stadium as soon as which was met with a stern ‘thanks’.
(Image: PA)
The former Liverpool central-midfielder mentioned: “He tried to be clever a few weeks ago by saying I deserved the elbow and that I was never his team-mate. It upset me a little bit because we’re 20 years on man.
“At the end of the day, if you walk past anyone on the street and elbow them on the side of the head you’d go to prison. It’s assault. I didn’t deserve it and you shouldn’t have done it.
“Coming out and telling everyone that is not a nice thing to do. Move on. I’ve stoked the fire myself over the years but if he wants to patch it up he knows where I am. I’m not arsed. I’d shake his hand, of course I would.”