Roy Keane believes Ireland have only themselves to blame for failing to qualify for the World Cup and said they should “get over it”.
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In a withering attacking on John Delaney, Keane has accused the FAI chief executive of double standards in trying to get the game against France replayed.
Keane also refused to condemn France captain Thierry Henry, who handled the ball in the build up to their winning goal, and instead pointed the finger of blame at Ireland’s poor defending and earlier wasted chances.
“Ireland had chances at Croke Park and in Paris but didn’t take them,” the former Ireland captain said. “France were there for the taking but Ireland never grabbed it – as usual.
“They were afraid of that next step and were mentally not strong enough. They can complain all they want. That is not going to change anything. France are going to the World Cup –get over it. They want sympathy as usual. It is the usual carry on and it is boring.”
Keane accused the Irish defence and goalkeeper Shay Given, of letting the country down. He said: “I have been amazed at the commotion over the past few days. Of course Henry handled but I would be more focused about why the ball wasn’t cleared. I’d be more annoyed at my defenders and my goalkeeper than Thierry Henry.
“How can you let Henry get goal side of you? How can you let the ball bounce in the box?” The Ipswich Town manager doesn’t believe the game should be replayed, just as Ireland did not call for a replay after a controversial penalty saw them beat Georgia in the group stages.
Keane said: “It is the usual FAI reaction – ‘we’ve been robbed’, ‘the honesty of the game’ but there was one of the group matches [Georgia] when Ireland got a penalty for a hand ball and no one had even appealed for it. It was one of the worst decisions I have ever seen and it changed the course of the game, and the group.
“Robbie Keane scored the penalty and Ireland went on to win but I don’t remember the FAI saying ‘you know what the referee made a howler, let’s give them a replay. They say this was a play of match but it is the same principle.”
Keane dismissed suggestions that Henry cheated to provide the cross that lead to William Gallas’ extra time winner.
“It was instinct for Henry. Would I call him a cheat – no I wouldn’t think so,” he said. “Did he bend the rule a little? – Maybe. You see cheating going on all the time in games. Nobody wants a cheat.
“I wouldn’t agree that Henry is a cheat. He is a top, top player who took advantage of the situation.”
