Shamed Irish soccer stars Mark Kennedy and Phil Babb must contemplate the fact that their respective international careers could be at a premature end. They have both been been thrown out of the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Holland on Saturday, following an incident in Dublin in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The pair were accused in court yesterday of causing criminal damage, causing a breach of the peace and being drunk and disorderly on Harcourt Street. Kennedy of Manchester City and Sporting Lisbon defender Babb were arrested by a Ban Garda in central Dublin at about 4am on Tuesday morning. They were released on £950 bail later that morning.
Kennedy,and Babb, both apologised at a press conference held yesterday afternoon to look ahead to Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam. However, after meeting with Mick McCarthy, The Football Association of Ireland decided to remove both players from the squad and send them back to their clubs. Babb who has been capped 34 times for Ireland, and Kennedy,who has 29 caps may well have played their last International's for the Republic of Ireland. McCarthy has insisted that he has no regrets about withdrawing the pair from the squad, even it weakens his team ahead of Saturday's crucial tie in the Amsterdam Arena.
Meanwhile, Manchester City boss Joe Royle has expressed his concern as the news emerged about Kennedy's arrest. ‘On the face of it, it is very disappointing but we will have to wait until the full facts of the incident emerge,’ he told journalists yesterday.
City have announced their support of the player, but the Maine Road club have expressed their disappointment at the winger's conduct in Dublin. Today City issued a statement on behalf of chairman David Bernstein, which said, ‘As a club that prides itself on its unity and loyalty, we will always be supportive of our players and staff. However, if the allegations against Mark Kennedy are substantiated, the club would be very disappointed at his behaviour which would have let down his country, Manchester City and not least the player himself.’
Kennedy's next match for City is expected to be at Leeds United next Tuesday, but they have not yet said whether they will take any disciplinary action against the winger themselves.
Filed by Shane Murray
