THE Football Association of Ireland is confident that footage will exonerate Roy Keane after the Ireland assistant manager was involved in an altercation with a fan in the Ireland team hotel.

The man was taken to hospital following the incident at the Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links, where the Ireland football team are staying ahead of their crunch match against Scotland.

The Irish Independent can reveal that the man, whom Keane has history with, had a copy of his book and asked the Ireland assistant coach to sign it for him. Keane responded: "I'm not signing your book."

When Keane refused the man - who is believed to have written about the former Manchester United star in the past - began tearing pages out of the book in the reception area of the hotel.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Roy Keane on Republic of Ireland debut against Chile at Lansdowne Road, in 1991 28 April 1993; Roy Keane, Republic of Ireland in action against John Jensen, Denmark, World Cup Qualifier, Republic of Ireland v Denmark, Soccer, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit; David Maher/SPORTSFILE 28 June 1994; From left Denis Irwin, Roy Keane, Ray Houghton and John Sheridan pictured during the World Cup USA. Picture credit; David Maher/SPORTSFILE 28 June 1994; Roy Keane and Phil Babb, Republic of Ireland, Look over the Celtic view newspaper. Soccer. Picture credit; David Maher/SPORTSFILE 6 September 1995; Republic of Ireland's Roy Keane in action during the match. Austria v Republic of Ireland, European Championship Qualifier, Ernst Happel Stadium, Vienna, Austria. Soccer. Picture credit; David Maher / SPORTSFILE 9 November 1996; Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy tackles Roy Keane during a squad training session at Lansdowne Road. Soccer. Picture credit; Ray McManus/SPORTSFILE Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE 20 August 1997; Roy Keane, Republic of Ireland, in action against Lithuania. Republic of Ireland v Lithuania, World Cup qualifier, Group X, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit; Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE SPORTSFILE 18 November 1998. Irish captain Roy Keane leaves the pitch with Charlie O'Leary, equipment officer after the game. European Championship Qualifier, Yugoslavia v Rep of Ireland, Red Star Stadium, Belgrade. Picture Credit: Brendan Moran/SPORTSFILE. 17 November 1999. Republic of Ireland's Roy Keane argues with referee G.Veisseire, Turkey v Ireland, European Championship soccer, Qualifier Play-off, second leg, Ataturk Stadium, Bursa, Turkey. Picture credit; David Maher/SPORTSFILE 11 October 2000; Ireland's Roy Keane in action against Estonia's Erko Saviauk. Ireland v Estonia, World Cup Qualifier, Lansdowne Rd, Dublin. Soccer. Picture credit; Matt Browne/SPORTSFILE 8 November 2001; Roy Keane, under the watchful eye of manager Mick McCarthy, at the Republic of Ireland squad training session, ahead of the World Cup Play-off with Iran. John Hyland Park, Baldonnell, Co. Dublin. Soccer. Picture credit; Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE *EDI* 24 May 2002; The former Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane departs Saipan International Airport. Soccer. Cup2002. Picture credit; David Maher / SPORTSILE *EDI* 13 October 2004; Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr shakes hand with Roy Keane at the end of the game. FIFA 2006 World Cup Qualifier, Republic of Ireland v Faroe Islands, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit; David Maher / SPORTSFILE SPORTSFILE 7 September 2005; Roy Keane, Republic of Ireland, remonstrates with referee Herbert Fandel. FIFA 2006 World Cup Qualifier, Group 4, Republic of Ireland v France, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit; David Maher / SPORTSFILE SPORTSFILE 7 September 2005; Roy Keane, 6, Republic of Ireland, is shown a yellow card by referee Herbert Fandel. FIFA 2006 World Cup Qualifier, Group 4, Republic of Ireland v France, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit; Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE SPORTSFILE 19 November 2013; Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane during the pre-match warm up. Friendly International, Poland v Republic of Ireland, Municipal Stadium, Poznan, Poland. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE SPORTSFILE 15 November 2013; Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill and assistant manager Roy Keane. Three International Friendly, Republic of Ireland v Latvia, Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE SPORTSFILE 11 November 2014; Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill with assistant manager Roy Keane, during squad training ahead of their UEFA EURO 2016 Championship Qualifer, Group D, match against Scotland on Friday. Republic of Ireland Squad Training, Gannon Park, Malahide, Co. Dublin. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE SPORTSFILE 22 October 2014; Pictured is legendary former professional football player and current Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane who marked the launch of his new book 'The Second Half' at an exclusive Eason event in the RDS. Joined on stage with co-author of the book, Roddy Doyle, Keane treated fans to some great insights into his life and achievements. Keanes book, The Second Half, is currently on sale in Eason stores nationwide and online at www.easons.com. RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE SPORTSFILE 14 October 2014; Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane, left, and Marc Wilson arrive at the stadium ahead of the game. UEFA EURO 2016 Championship Qualifer, Group D, Germany v Republic of Ireland, Veltins Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE SPORTSFILE / Facebook

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Whatsapp Roy Keane on Republic of Ireland debut against Chile at Lansdowne Road, in 1991

The former Ireland captain is believed to have confronted the man, who then fell to the ground and an ambulance was called.

FAI sources told the Irish Independent last night that the football association was satisfied no punches were thrown, and they have numerous witnesses to the incident. It is understood that the FAI is also confident that CCTV footage from the hotel lobby will exonerate the assistant manager.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Roy Keane, Republic of Ireland assistant manager arrives at team training yesterday. Photo: Damien Eagers Roy Keane Ireland manager Martin O'Neill and assistant manager Roy Keane during training at Gannon Park, Malahide. Photo: PA PA Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill with assistant mansger Roy Keane during squad training ahead of their UEFA EURO 2016 Championship Qualifer, Group D, match against Scotland on Friday. Republic of Ireland Squad Training, Gannon Park, Malahide, Co. Dublin. Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE SPORTSFILE The Portmarnock Links Hotel, Portmarnock, Co. Dublin / Facebook

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Whatsapp Roy Keane, Republic of Ireland assistant manager arrives at team training yesterday. Photo: Damien Eagers

It is believed that the man is being treated in Beaumont Hospital.

Gardai were called after the alleged altercation.

The FAI said Keane (43) called the gardai and he had their "full support".

The incident happened in the busy reception area of the hotel after training.

Keane has the full backing of the FAI, team manager Martin O'Neill and the FAI CEO John Delaney.

Gardai have received no official complaint in relation to the matter.

"The exact nature of the incident has to be established," a garda source said.

It is understood the man, who was taken to Beaumont Hospital by ambulance yesterday evening, was not seriously injured.

He is believed to be the son-in-law of a well-known entertainer.

It is understood that the incident occurred just outside the bar area.

Ireland striker and captain Robbie Keane, who was sitting in the hotel lobby with two people last night, refused to comment when approached at the hotel.

"I'm with the family... I haven't seen them for a month or so. Thank you," he told the Irish Independent.

Management at the hotel also refused to comment.

Keane and the rest of the squad are due to fly to Glasgow this afternoon following a morning training session.

It is understood that gardai attended the scene after being called. However, no criminal complaint was made.

"This matter is being investigated by gardai but a complaint must be received for further action to be considered in the case," a senior source said.

"And there has been no complaint yet."

Gardai from Malahide station were interviewing witnesses to establish the exact circumstances last night.

The incident could prove disruptive in the build-up to the Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland tomorrow night.

The team has been staying in the Portmarnock hotel this week as the squad trains in Malahide.

"Following inaccurate media reports which refer to an incident involving a member of the public this evening at the Republic of Ireland team hotel, we wish to clarify that Roy Keane called the Gardai following the incident. The manager Martin O'Neill and the FAI are fully aware of the circumstances surrounding this event, and the Assistant Manager has their full support," the FAI statement said.

The incident has overshadowed the build-up to the team's crucial Euro 2016 qualifier in Glasgow.

Ireland lead Scotland by three points after three games in Group D.

With Germany and Poland also jostling for position in the group, this game is likely to prove crucial.

Dream

Keane was appointed assistant manager of Ireland in November last year as part of the so-called "dream team" partnership with O'Neill.

The pair are returning to their old stomping ground at Celtic Park for the clash.

Former Manchester United skipper Keane made headlines recently with the release of his controversial autobiography 'The Second Half'.

In it, he criticises former team-mates and colleagues, as well as stoking the flames of his ongoing war of words with his long-time boss at United, Alex Ferguson.

In the book, Keane recalls the upset he felt after he was sacked as manager of Ipswich in January 2011.

Keane outlined in the book how he failed in his second stint as a manager and that turning to his role as a television pundit, as he did for ITV, further compounded his feeling that he had ultimately failed.

Online Editors