Police are today investigating an apparent racist attack on footballer Roy Keane after vandals set off industrial fireworks outside his home.
The powerful rockets were ignited from a crate daubed with language of a racist and abusive nature. They were set off at 7.15am on Sunday outside the Ireland international's mock-Tudor mansion in the upmarket Manchester suburb of Hale.
Keane's house is protected by a high security fence and wrought iron gates. Police said there was no damage to his property. It is not known if Keane, 33, his wife Theresa, also 33, or their four children were at home. The footballer's wife is pregnant with their fifth child.
A neighbour alerted police and the fire brigade was called but flames ignited after the fireworks were set off had already gone out.
A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said: "The fireworks were in a crate which had been daubed with language of a racist and abusive nature. Inquiries are continuing."
The incident came days after Keane appeared in court to deny charges of common assault and criminal damage following a row near his home with a 16-year-old boy.
Filed by Mark O'Neill-Cummins
