Roy Keane has broken his silence on his pitch-side confrontation with an Ipswich Town fan he told to “wait in the car park”.
Sky Sports pundit Keane became embroiled in an altercation with Neil Finbow during Manchester United’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Portman Road last month after being taunted about his unsuccessful spell managing Ipswich, walking out on the Republic of Ireland at the 2002 World Cup, and injuring Alf-Inge Haaland.
Keane, who has not managed since being sacked by Ipswich in 2011, said during the latest episode of the Stick To Football podcast: “I wasn’t angry at the Ipswich Town game.
“What happens when we’re doing matches and the analysis is happening at the end of the match when fans can be up or down, whatever emotions they are feeling – and people think they can abuse you, and it seems to be a ‘We’re supposed to accept that’.
“I went over to him twice. I said, ‘No problem. If you want to abuse me or if you want a discussion with me, well, I’m working’. I went over to him twice at different stages and he was swearing in front of kids.
“I said, ‘If you want to see me afterwards’ – and people thought I was asking him for a [fight] – I said, ‘I’ll see you in the car park’. Where else was I going to see him? He wasn’t there.”
Footage of the incident, which went viral, showed other supporters joining in the insults, with one heard shouting: “F--- you, Keane!”
Finbow confirmed afterwards that he had been the supporter Keane had told to “wait in the car park”, writing the former United captain took exception to a “few choice words” which also involved criticism of his tenure as Ipswich manager.
Finbow wrote: “New claim to fame. Just been offered out into the car park by Roy Keane after a few choice words.
“I mentioned about him walking out on a World Cup and breaking Haaland’s leg and putting it in his autobiography. I hate the bloke, and that’s been boiling up since he got sacked all those years ago.
“Even Jamie Redknapp had to come over to get him away. Just your average Sunday evening out.”