Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira has turned up the heat ahead of Saturday's FA Cup by hitting out at Roy Keane for 'walking out' on Ireland ahead of the 2002 World Cup.
Vieira's outburst comes in retaliation to comments reportedly made by Keane earlier in the season when he questioned the Arsenal skipper's decision to play for France despite being born in Senegal.
The duo, who will come face to face in Saturday's FA Cup final, clashed minutes before the Premiership match between the two sides in February 1 when Keane had to be restrained as the teams waited to enter the pitch.
Keane reportedly criticised Vieira's decision to play for France despite being born in Senegal during the pre-match confrontation. The Irishman's comments appear to relate to Vieira's charity work in his African homeland.
"It makes me laugh, players going on about how they are saving this country and saving that country, but when they have the opportunity to play... well, it's probably none of my business," Keane was reported as saying in the aftermath of their tunnel row.
Now Vieira has hit back, questioning Keane's commitment to Ireland after the infamous Saipan row with then manager Mick McCarthy. "For someone who leaves his team in the World Cup, I think he should keep this kind of remark to himself," he said.
"He does not know my background and I do not want him to make a comment like that because he is not in a good position to say something like that. He walked away from his national team when they really needed him."
"I have nothing to prove to him, I have nothing to prove to him. He is not from Senegal, he is not from Africa, he will not understand. So it is better for him to look after himself and what he's doing," the Arsenal skipper added.
"Even saying what I have just said does not take away the respect I have for him as a player. When I came to England he was the one I was looking forward to playing against because he is the best in the business in his position. I have big respect for him."
