Roy is unique. He was awesome in this interview. Honest. Natural. And he would've loved playing that World Cup. What a story.

Keane was right about how we should prepare like the Germans and Italians. Expecially back then as we actually had a good team of players. But we so badly missed him at the world cup. We would have beaten spain

I was one of the kids that didn't understand why Keane left. Now I understand completely.

It wasn't just about training facilities. That's what kicked it off, but I think the other senior players not backing him was what hurt him the most. How alone did he feel at that point? Sitting alone in his hotel room hearing the rest of the squad move on is just heartbreaking. It's a pity Irwin had retired by then...

Interviewer saying think of all the kids, well all the kids should use Roy as a role model to believe in yourself, stand up for what you believe in and be true to yourself.

Respect for Keane for speaking the truth and not backing down in the face of the insistent interviewer trying to guilt trip him.

if keane was from Dublin he'd have a statue on every corner. people think keane left, no he was sent home

Why as a 9 year old boy did I understand why Roy left/got sent home? As a 27 year old man I understand this even more. This was my 1st time watching this interview and I can safely say anyone who thinks Roy was wrong for standing up for what was right can go do one!

This is a man of integrity being hassled by an interviewer determined to guilt trip him into compliance. Stick to your guns, Roy.

Keane is 1 of the best midfielders if not then best to ever play in the premier league and is used to being in a successful team that's ran professionally. Then he arrives at the world cup and theirs no balls no kit and no pitch to train on, so he gave a interview telling the truth then he's the bad guy.

I think a compromise could've been reached considering how key of a player Roy was at that time. It's also not like Mick had much of a leg to stand on the way Ferguson did.

Trying to guilt trip Roy ain't gonna work...don't work on men like that...he has his principles and he'll stick with them no matter what...there's a reason why Roy was regarded as one of the greatest centre midfielders to ever play in English football...any young'un want to know what Roy was all about just watch juve away 1999

Love this guy. Straight as an arrow! His honesty is refreshing & type of person that others can aspire to. Honesty & Integrity to challenge when things are sub standard...He tried to be the mouth piece for his players and call out failures. If you just follow despite seeing glaring lack of standards it will get you nowhere. A person who knows success could see that the lack of preparation was setting them up for failure and he did what i would want a captain to do & call it out.

Well I’m listening to this man for the last three days I’ve been looking for this man for most of my life I’m sad I just never got to meet him so much respect for him as a human being for standing by his truth amazing interview

Mick McCarthy was lucky to coach Roy, a manager like him shouldn't have been allowed coach the calibre of player like Keane.

I would really like it if this footage wasn't poorly compressed by stretching the aspect ratio and was instead kept in its original form. Anyways, I watched Rebel Without A Ball for the first time a few weeks ago, it's a great documentary, I do feel bad for both Roy Keane and the manager when that happened

Roy was the number one thing I was looking forward to in that world cup. I was gutted. But he was dead right. He was not willing to accept that Ireland should be jovial losers.

Well done again Keano

I was very shocked and disappointed that Keane didn't play in that world cup .. and I'm English!! though a Man United supporter. The interviewer was trying to persuade Keane to go back to the world cup for the good of Ireland .. and if MM had apologized I'll think he would have done. Keane was one of the best midfielders in the world, he played in a highly successful Man Utd team, it was a travesty for Ireland that he didn't play in that world cup

Aussie here. Bloody hell I love Roy Keane. Love this guy.

I remember watching this interview 20 yrs ago,i was 20,man utd super roy and ireland fan,but i knew after watching that he was not goin back,but still each day untill ireland got knockex out by spain whom we should have beat,poxy penos ian hart aghhh,roy its his job

But Roy....if you don't play, a dog may get kicked and look very very sad. Would you not play and help the poor dog?

I think the fact none of the senior Irish players had his back and were all backing mick really upset him and he was thinking that the players didn't really want him their,I think he was absolutely gutted by that thought,whether that was true I don't know,but Roy obviously thought that and there was never a way back after none of the senior players backed him up

Biggest what if in irish sporting history.

Integrity. It's everything. Can't believe the interviewers focus on language rather than Micks mistakes and ways to try an embarrass him

Would have been great to see an older Roy Keane in the world cup, I don't know how much he was comprised by injury at this stage but his presence alone would have made a huge difference

The most charismatic player in football history impossible to out talk with the wit of Oscar Wilde and the toughness of Rocky Marciano Roy Keane Read his books 10 years ago before he became a pundits phenomenon

Next to Diana's, this was UK/Britain/Ireland's biggest watched TV interview.

19:23 is comedy gold

Why does Mick McCarthy get a free pass for falsely accusing Roy of feigning an injury to miss a play-off game after he'd played all of the group match qualifiers. Seriously poor man management and if I was Keane, I'd have been fuming about that as well. The rest of the Irish Players were Bottlejobs by saying nothing during the meeting too. They got what they deserved when they were knocked out on penalties by Spain.

I remember the whole country watched this. The following day, all the girls in the office were talking about was how sexy he looked.

And he is a top tier professional, that mediocre people just can't understand

Sure it should've been FIFA's responsibility to ensure that every team had equal quality facilities/training pitches while at the Competiton.

Integrity. Good man Roy. He wasn't taking the accusations from Mick or the lack of support from his team. How could he go back and give 100% after that? It wouldn't be right to play in that situation even though he was dying to represent Ireland.

Its not the first time the fai had a issue with a corkman think back to 09 with the way they treated cork city fc

Proud son of Cork

People know the troot!

Roy should never have done the interview with the times, up until that point it was in house he’d been unhappy he’d made his points but once he done that it was always heading the way it did

Preparing to play the biggest games in Irish football history and what happens? They don't have any football's to train with! Only the Irish ....He was right!

He was right to be angry about the facilities and poor preparation but wrong to throw McCarthy and his teammates under the bus BEFORE the tournament. In the Irish Times interview he basically tore everyone to shreds before a ball had even been kicked. He had no right to do that,, just because was captain and playing for United. Put his ego before what was best for the side. And McCarthy was right about Iran game, Keane played for United three full games in the 8 days after that playoff, he clearly wasn't injured. Just couldn't be arsed.

He's been a tremendous player for Nottingham forest,Man Utd and the ROI..His achievements speak for themselves,( and i saw some highlights of the 2002 qualifier against Holland and he was the most effective player on the field!) But the 'flip side' of the argument and his personality has made sure he's never been far away from controversy! And even though it does sound like Mick McCarthy was somewhat out of his depth( from the Org point of view)but at the same time ROI is run by the GAA and they're not a massive Soccer Org as far as funding goes,and u kind of get the impression Roy K had got used to drinkiing Champagne& eating Lobster Rolls at Man Utd& wasn't to impressed with half a Guinness and a Cheese Sandwich with the ROI..And he made his feelings known!..But the conversation bet him and the Manager shouldhave been held privately& they may have reached a impass& agreed to differ for the sake of the Team..But we'll never know!

I can understand both sides. The interviewer is trying his best to get Roy to bury the hatchet and compromise so he would make an appology that the coach and the FA would surely accept. But there was too much bad blood at this point that Roy was not willing to be scapegoated for the FA's incompetence and mismanagement. His criticism of the training facilities was justified, and unless the FA and coach agreed with him on that and vowed to do better, he was not going to back down on that.

Oh will someone think of the kids!!!!

Roy Keane 100% correct !!!!!!!!! , done well in that interview not to tell Tommie Gorman to do one. He asked the same question in 10 different ways.

Mick should've called him back the bloody yob...

"You bastards" - Mick McCarthy

The guys questions are hilarious!! Oh Roy what about all the little babies who are crying 'cos you left the world cup!! What about them Roy!! LOL

This was his last chance at a world cup he was 31 years old

This is exactly how you do not conduct an interview,dear me…

Team Roy! FAI are and were a joke, Mick has no idea of man management

The irish players failure to stand by Roy Keane may have cost them all a world cup winners medal. Ireland really could have won that world cup with Roy Keane.

The interviewer is small town, i know Ireland is a small country but this pleading is embarrassing

Loved roy in this but the interviewer Is so biased constantly trying to make roy feel bad

How many times does he ask about the language ffs come off it man

"What about the country?" Yeah, RTE cares about the country.

NO BALLS ? For International football training 😂🤣😂 Sounds more like a 'Jolly Boys Holiday ' Once in a lifetime chance. ??NO BALLS ??

This is a reporter trying to discredit Roy Keane lmao

Baby, what a big baby! Just get on with the game……….. baby😅

I can't watch all of this. I read Niall Quinn's book and he explained the litany of abuse Keane hurled at Mick, which Roy conveniently glosses over and ignores in this interview. Mick was wrong to accuse him of faking injury but that was AFTER all the abuse Roy gave him (which Roy implies in this interview that it was that insinuation that caused him to lose his temper, he had already lost it. His team mates didn't back him up because he was wrong. Even Niall Quinn, a self professed "I'm fond of Roy" fan, admitted it should have been stopped). Mick was backed into a corner and searched for something to throw back at Roy. All he had was a false accusation of faked injury. At that stage the damage was done .. Keane had said horrible, unforgivable things to Mick in front of the squad and THEN came the "did you pick and choose your games Roy?". Roy keeps talking about "it was a private meeting, it should have remained private". Why did he bitch to the newspapers beforehand so? That wasn't very private. In Quinn's book he explains the next training ground and facilities were far superior if only Roy had stuck it out.

My fave psychopath

This was a watershed moment like when sinead oconnor ripped the picture of the Pope, she was criticised at the time but was eventually proved right

Roy only wanted what was best for the Irish team and wouldn't accept anything less.He wanted to do get Ireland to do the very best they could at the World Cup.It was an amateurish set up and the FAI haven't moved on yet.

I stand behind Roy pride is everything

The Man should not have ran away from the problems. Ego has a big part to play here on both sides. He should have stayed and after the world cup say his piece. Going home was not the answer. Bite your tounge and get on with it. We played football in a field full of cow shit growing up. Sad thing is, Ireland could have won that world cup. He says his conscience is clear. But still looks for support from senior players. Come on.. My Opinion, he let our one of a kind Country, Ireland, down. Poor training ground and no footballs? WTF like. Go buy a ball and play on the road. Or go get locked. Look at the GAA players

What about the poor people who love you Roy lol 🤣

No matter what roys problem was, boy did ireland miss him against spain. Spain were there for the taking by ireland that day, and they could of done with his driving spirit on the pitch. I bet roy watching that game knew he should of been there. He really let down the fans, and irish team, who could of done with there best player at that moment, as that game in 2002 against spain ireland should of won, and spain were there for the taking, but they missed the influence on the pitch of keane. I bet roy where ever he was that day when ireland played spain, and they lost on penalties knows he should of been there, and i bet his mates and family believe that too. Its amazing its 20 years ago now, but i bet that missing that game really haunts roy keane, as it ended his aura for irish fans as that player would would do anything for the team. Spain were there that day for ireland to beat, and they missed keane ability to control the center of the park. Spain were very weak team then, and ireland should of won, they lost on penalities. Keane cannot blame irish people for thinking he let them down. Spain could of been beaten if ireland had that player like roy keane on the pitch, and you can be sure keane knows that himself. Of course its his life, and he does what he wants, but you can be sure watching that game in 2002, he was kicking himself for not being there in that game against spain that ireland were beaten on penalties.

Roy’s teammates sold him out and he’s to loyal a man to accept it.

long term bad blood between Keane and McCarthy, and between Keane and the Irish football authorities. .Look at the way Keane shook McCarthys hand after the Holland game, the contempt, could hardly look at him. Should have had the Wimbledon spirit and played as a team ...and the article in the paper was fine according to Keane - total disrespect ....

Tommy gormans interview questions are absolutely rubbish

I arranged to meet Mick!!! At my house 😂😂😂😂😂 The fact Mick turned up shows you who the real boss was 😂😂😂

The FAI, Mick McCarthy & Roy Keane let the country down here. it really is as simple as that. Ego and bickering helped nobody in this situation.

Definitely 5 hours too long in the incubator

The interviewer was legitimately awful. Making comparisons between this and the compromises made during the Troubles was one of the low points

9

Roy was right to leave but what I would say is if he considers himself a Christian he should give and expect nothing in return. Expect to be treated poorly and betrayed and persecuted, and forgive because they know not what they do.

How the hell did not 1 player stand up and say,here,you pair sort it out !!! Know why,I won’t reveal a source that went to say something and was told to shut up or you’ll be out too ! Clue,it was an Irish player,and I’m Irish…

How the interviewer Tommie Gorman didn’t concentrate on the job in hand is ridiculous ! Talking about the past when what’s important,what happened in that moment ?? Absolute joke…

It started with Alex Ferguson pulling Man Utd out of the FA cup in 1999 and Keane's attitude to playing for Ireland was the same . His club's performance in the league , and playing in the Champions league was all that mattered .

Probably cheap skate tactics by the fai

Roy has proven over the years that he has a horrible streak. With the things he's said about people and their personal lives that he has no right to comment on. So no, I don't take his side. And yes, Mick was right to send him home in this instance.

I dont like keane but the FAI are a joke

Should a man put his principles aside, keep his mouth shut and just enjoy playing at the WC? Tough one.

don't like that reporter

Mick McCarthy was out of his depth

Too stubborn. Let his country down

Always had a chip on his shoulder and always will.

He deserted his country and would have come out of this with respect had he made the best of a shite situation. Leader? Bollox.

Traitor , imagine the men of 1916 doing that, put one Dub in that tunnel with vieria and Keane watch him squirm

The thing with Roy is he's a LIAR !.. But a very very good liar.. Perhaps the Best liar EVER in the game !.. And like all good liar's he has a long memory, which is vital to remember your old lies. Eventually, when you tell lies long enough you attualy believe those lies and it's been shown that you can pass lie detector tests !.. You can also write a few books with those lies in them which helps, as the more people believe your lies then helps your belief in those lies !. As a kid i never got picked to play football at school, But i know I'm a much better player than Roy ever was !.. And my new book which is coming out soon will prove this !.. Its called OFF-SIDE THE MIND

Team Roy! FAI are and were a joke, Mick has no idea of man management