Keane proud despite anger
Robbie Keane tries to comfort Keith Andrews after the final whistle in Paris last night where a controversial William Gallas goal secured France a place over Ireland at the World Cup. Photo: Sportsfile
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A DISTRAUGHT and angry Robbie Keane last night poured scorn on the fates that evicted Ireland from the World Cup.
Asked if the decision to allow William Gallas’ goal was an easy one to make for someone officiating in a "big country," he responded: "Of course it is. T'was an easy decision to do the seedings, wasn't it?
"They’re all probably on the phone to Sepp Blatter now, texting each other over the result. France and Germany are massive countries. There’s no way in a million years there was going to be a fair draw. And it wasn't!"
The details of Thierry Henry’s handball seemed to grow more grisly with each telling. For the Irish captain, there was a palpable sense of larceny.
"There’s no question or doubt in my mind, we won that game," said Keane.
"The handball was so obvious. We’ve seen the replays, but we knew anyway from the reaction of the players. Shay especially. He was two yards away from him. You don’t get a reaction like that from Shay unless he’s sure it’s a handball."
Asked if he would expect that act from a player of Henry’s calibre: "I wouldn’t expect it from anyone."
Keane admitted that it was "probably" his last shot at the World
Cup, but spoke with glowing pride of the campaign. "We're devastated to be honest. Over the two legs, I think we were certainly the better team.
"I'm very proud of the lads."
- Vincent Hogan
