In a previous game Haland clipped Keane and then whilst Keane was on the ground Haland went over and abused him for faking an injury. Keane didn't like this and he waited for retribution. He finally made headlines in the 2001 Manchester Derby, a game in which Alf-Inge Haland was his opposition. Five minutes from the final whistle, he was sent off for a blatant knee-high foul on the Norwegian in what was seen by many as an act of revenge. He initially received a three game suspension and a £5,000 fine from the FA but further punishment was to follow after the release of Keane's autobiography in August 2002, in which he stated that he intended "to hurt" Haland. Keane's account of the incident was as follows:
" I'd waited long enough. I fucking hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that you cunt. And don't ever stand over me sneering about fake injuries."
An admission that the tackle was in fact a premeditated assault, it left the FA with no choice but to charge Keane with bringing the game into disrepute. He was banned for a further five matches and fined £150,000 in the ensuing investigation. Despite widespread condemnation, he later maintained in his autobiography that he had no regrets about the incident: "My attitude was, fuck him. What goes around comes around. He got his just rewards. He fucked me over and my attitude is an eye for an eye." Haland briefly considered taking legal action against Keane, but after both legal and medical advice he later decided otherwise. The Norwegian retired from football shortly afterwards and it appears that it was due to this tackle.
Here is the intial tackle on Keane and the expensive retribution from Keane on Haland.
You should know better than to give it to a crazy northern Ireland football player, got what he deserved.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. Reminds me a bit of the retribution dealt out to 'Bevo' The Epping SOS from many a Blueys player years after his smart ass antics and mouthing off during the 2002 season in which it all infamously ended in tears for him. Gotta love retribution!
ReplyDeleteVery true PAWD. Keane waited 4 years to get Haland back. The crazy bastard will not let anything go. I reckon Keane still has a few people to go on his list of revenge. Don't worry about keeping it on the pitch I reckon he will be visiting them at their houses in the next few years.
ReplyDeleteScoe heard about that Bevo meltdown. Wish I had been there !!
Considering he's from Northern Ireland, maybe an IRA Bombing is on the cards. Crazeeee!
ReplyDelete