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You've got to be kidding me. Of course he meant to hurt the guy... and they knew it at the time of the foul. While it shouldn't be spoken out loud, biding your time to exact revenge in a tackle is a well-known part of the game.Man United's Keane could face suspension, legal action over ugly tackle
Canadian Press
Tuesday, August 13, 2002
LONDON (AP) - Manchester United captain Roy Keane could face an English Football Association inquiry after saying he deliberately injured Manchester City midfielder Alf Inge Haaland with a dangerous tackle.
The admission comes in the Irishman's forthcoming autobiography, which is being serialized in two British newspapers.
Keane says he "had waited long enough" to exact revenge on Haaland after suffering a knee injury while playing against the Norwegian in 1997.
Haaland was left with damaged knee ligaments after being fouled by Keane in the Manchester derby - Manchester United versus Manchester City - in April 2001 and has not played a full game since.
Keane admitted he made things worse by taunting Haaland while he lay stricken on the ground.
"I'd waited long enough. I . . . hit him hard. The ball was there (I think)," Keane said.
"And don't ever stand over me again sneering about fake injuries, and tell your pal (David) Wetherall there's some for him as well.
"I don't wait for (referee) Mr. (David) Elleray to show the red card. I turned and walked to the dressing room."
A statement by the English Football Association on Tuesday said it wanted to see the book in full before making any decision.
"However we clearly would never expect any one individual to set out to physically hurt an opponent at any level of the game," the FA said.
The suggestion of a premeditated attack has also alerted Haaland, 29, who hinted he may take legal action against Keane.
"Am I going to sue? Make your own mind up," Halland told the Sun newspaper.
"I've played only a few games after the tackle. I will go in and see if I can find any of Keane's studs inside there."
Manchester City said it would discuss Keane's comments with Halland and various soccer authorities before deciding on the appropriate response.
Players' union chief executive Gordon Taylor described Keane's comments as "ill-judged."
"Whilst it may make good copy and profits for the book publishers and the writer, it puts Roy in a bad position," Taylor said.
"He could face action from the FA, if not possibly legal action from Alfie Haaland. We tried at the time to calm things down between the two and we've had too many player versus player cases.
"We don't want that to happen again, but this has just opened up old wounds again at an unfortunate time."
© Copyright 2002 The Canadian Press
And a lawsuit? Please...
~Regs.