Roy Keane has revisited his exit from the 2002 World Cup, saying he let people off lightly during the team meeting that ended in the infamous bust-up.
Keane, speaking on ITV’s World Cup podcast, said he had no regrets about his actions, and that if anything he held back when apparently accused of feigning an injury to miss a game.
The former Manchester United skipper famously exited the Republic of Ireland's pre-tournament training camp in Saipan following a major bust-up with manager Mick McCarthy.
The now Ireland assistant manager said: "I was disappointed it happened, the way in panned out. I know there are two sides to every story. There was a lot of talk when we got over there about the facilities. That was well documented. I was disappointed at no bibs, balls, cones and it really irritated me because if it happened to Brazil or Germany there would have been uproar.
"But for some reason, because it was Ireland, it was like a laugh and a joke. I had enough years of laughing and joking. I felt at the time we had to give ourselves the best opportunity.
"Later on into the week, the night before we were due to leave Saipan, there was a bit of a team meeting, I was confronted by the manager and I stood up and had to fight my corner. I would do it again tomorrow.
"I've always said I've never lost a wink of sleep over how I reacted to the accusations that were made against me. I'd love to have played in another World Cup, of course I would have, that's what the game is all about. But it wasn't to be. I look back and don't regret any of my actions. That's the way it goes."
Keane said the issues over the equipment were soon sorted, but it was when the discussion in the team meeting came up, it was always going to end in upset.
"What made me angry and disappointed is when you get accused of something by your manager in front of a group of players, you're going to react. I reacted. As a senior player and captain, I felt they were lies. I was accused of faking an injury and not being available for a match when I was injured.
"It was a really strange time to bring it up and it wasn't true. If you make those kind of accusations against me, have a guess what is going to happen. Like a lot of players, I played far too many games when I was injured.
"To have that thrown at me was really strange. The timing of it and in front of a group of players...let me tell you, you are going to get fireworks. I would expect that from any player, particular a senior player. There you go."
The possibility of Keane returning to the camp remained for a few days, with memorable moments of hope for the Irish public that the captain would return, and Keane said it wasn’t out of the question.
But only if there was an admission from the management.
"If there was an apology, possibly I would have gone back.
"It's alright me sitting here [saying this now]. If you spoke to Mick or some of the other staff, they might have another side of it. I know it takes two to tango. But that's what happened.
"Once I left the hotel, the team had left, the damage was done. If an apology came my way or if [they said] it was a mishap, things could have been different. Once I landed back in Ireland, the damage was done. I couldn't go back working with a manager that probably felt that about me.
"Strangely enough, nobody ever made these accusations against me when I was playing and we were winning matches and qualifying. The timing was just really strange, particularly in front of the staff and players.
"To be accused of missing a game because of an injury I supposedly didn't have, believe it or not I let people off lightly. There could have been a lot more trouble shall we say."
