The former Manchester United captain is alleged to have launched a foul-mouthed attack on Harry Arter and Jonathan Walters

'enough is enough'

Two Republic of Ireland legends have called for Roy Keane to be axed as assistant manager of the national team.

A WhatsApp recording of Stephen Ward has been leaked in which the defender described the details of a row between Keane and two of his Ireland teammates, Harry Arter and Jonathan Walters, during the summer.

3 Roy Keane has sparked controversy with his rant at two Ireland players

Former Manchester United captain Keane is alleged to have squared up to Walters and called Arter a “p****” and a “c***” after they sat out training on medical advice.

Arter, who is on loan at Cardiff City from Bournemouth, subsequently made himself unavailable for Thursday’s 4-1 Nations League defeat by Wales and Tuesday’s friendly in Poland.

Boss Martin O’Neill has defended Keane, describing his number two as “brilliant”, and said he will remain part of the Ireland set-up.

But Liam Brady and Johnny Giles, two heroes of Irish football, say Keane is not fit for the role of an assistant boss and O’Neill or FAI chief John Delaney should take the strongest possible action.

Brady, one of the most gifted players of his generation, said: “The thing that strikes me about Roy Keane and it has for many years now, is that I don’t think he likes football and I don’t think he likes players.

“When you hear him speak about football in his punditry role, it comes across that he doesn’t like modern-day footballers. I think this thing is boiling inside of him.

“He’s damaging a squad that’s weak in many ways anyway and we can’t afford to lose any players.

3 Harry Arter has made himself unavailable for Ireland following the row with Roy Keane

“Every time there is an Irish game there was a story about Roy Keane, whether he was having a go at somebody or whether he was launching another book of his.

“I can’t even understand how Martin O’Neill could put up with that. He’s got an international match and Roy Keane decides to launch his book the week of an international game.

“It’s crazy, it’s mind-boggling and it’s really taking the p***, isn’t it? It really is taking the p*** out of the Irish soccer team.

“Martin O’Neill, or the powers that be, John Delaney, has to say enough of this. This has got to stop.”

O’Neill has attempted to play down the row, insisting it is something that happens regularly in football and the players will move on.

3 Roy Keane has the backing of boss Martin O’Neill

But Giles, a legendary figure in his playing days and a former Republic manager, insisted there can be no justification for Keane’s foul-mouthed rant at Arter and Walters.

“I knew there was a row. I didn’t know what the details were,” said Giles.

“It shouldn’t happen. Roy Keane is assistant manager of the Irish team and he is there to assist the manager.

“Players who are injured, unless they are really kidding on, need a lot of sympathy and a lot of help. We’ve all been injured as footballers and there is nothing worse than being injured and you can’t play.

“In Arter’s case, if Martin O’Neill felt Arter was kidding on then he shouldn’t be picked. If they feel that he’s not, then he needs sympathy and support.

“This is nonsense. This is very, very serious stuff.

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“Morale in a football team is very fragile and the rest of the players would have known exactly what happened and that doesn’t help the spirit of the team.

“This is wrong, whatever way you look at it, it’s wrong.

“As assistant manager he should be helping Martin and in the Arter case he hasn’t helped him at all. In fact, Arter has said he doesn’t want to play, That’s being destructive.

“If you talk about being equipped to be an assistant manager? Definitely not.”