Roy Keane had little sympathy for the Football Association of Ireland's campaign to have their controversial World Cup play-off against France replayed and said: "What goes around comes around."
The Ipswich manager's relationship with the FAI broke down following his walk-out from the Republic of Ireland training camp prior to the 2002 World Cup.
And he dismissed their calls for "the honesty and integrity" of the sport to be protected in the wake of Thierry Henry's handball which led to France's winner in Paris on Wednesday night.
He told a press conference broadcast by Sky Sports News: "I think the supporters deserve better, the manager (Giovanni Trapattoni) deserves better and probably most of the players deserve better, but I'm not sure the FAI deserve better.
"What goes around comes around."
Keane pointed out that controversial decisions also went Ireland's way in the qualifying campaign, not least a harsh penalty award against Georgia which helped them to claim a 2-1 qualifying win in February.
He added: "Ireland had their chances in the two games (against France), and they never took them. But it's the usual FAI reaction - 'we've been robbed, the honesty of the game...'
"There was one match against Georgia where Ireland got a penalty and it was one of the worst decisions I've ever seen which changed the whole course of the game.
"I don't remember the FAI after the game saying we should give them a replay."
Talking specifically about France's winner, Keane laid the blame on Ireland's defence rather than Henry, who handled the ball before crossing for William Gallas to head in.
"I'd focus on why they didn't clear it," he said.
"I'd be more annoyed with my defenders and my goalkeeper than Thierry Henry. How can you let the ball bounce in your six-yard box? How can you let Thierry Henry get goal-side of you?
"If the ball goes into the six-yard box, where the hell is my goalkeeper?"
Keane's antipathy towards the FAI stems back to the Pacific island of Saipan seven years ago when he left the team's pre-World Cup training camp, complaining that the facilities were sub-standard.
"People seem to forget what was going on in that World Cup, and that man (FAI chief executive John Delaney) is on about honesty. I was one of the players and he didn't have the courtesy to ring me," he said.
"I'd been involved with Ireland since I was 15 years of age and that man didn't have the decency to make a phone call. He could have phoned me, of course he could have."
Your Comments
easterner
"As a Man U fan, I have great respect for what Keane has done for the club. But he should just zip up and move on, rather than use occasions like this to get back at people he has a grudge with. You still think you are too big for your country - move on, Roy."
ohno
"hahaha what a funny little man i bet he never thought his comments would now be headline news!!
His team are terrible and he is about to be sacked so has to make headlines some how. And his "scary" face at the reporter what a joker we weights about 3 stone!! muppet "
harrymud
"Chips on shoulders, heads at balls, who cares? He was one of the best players of his era & you have to love his intensity. Maybe he is too intense to be an effective manager but that'd only be because he would never have 20 odd players as intense & committed as he was & is. And he does have a point about the joke that is the F.A.I & the bouncing in the 6 yard box. I should mention that I'm a gooner that Roy would possibly kick,& that I'm glad Henry wasn't playing for us when he pulled this number."
ashdelieu
"Finally, someone with a bit of sense. I never had much respect for Keane as a man but he has surpassed my expectations. All this overhype is ridiculous. It's about time that someone spoke out and put some sense to the situation.
Would anyone be bleeting so much if Rooney had done it if England were in the same situation? No. Would there be so much coverage if Keane had done it at the other end? Of course not.
Get over it and get on with it."
mrbong
"love Keane's comments about what the defence should have been doing - i trust Ipswich fans can look forward to him passing this wisdom on to his own team? "
icc97
"Bloody brilliant interview. If just for the rant at the reporter with his phone going off."
ThePoolboy
"How long will you be in a job!! hmmm bang up job at Ipswich! "
mcgrathpat
"He should just shut up and concentrate on saving his lame ass job at Ipswich."
jypsumfantastic
"Typical Roy Keane, any excuse to have a go at the FAI. I take his point on the defenders being at fault though. McShane is always a massive liability. You have to love the way Keane holds these grudges for so long.... and also the way he's ALWAYS there to stick the boot into his "enemies" when the opportunity arises."
Lorcan
"Also Keano, might I suggest that if what comes around goes around you would have faced criminal charges for your "tackle" on Alf Inge Haaland. But then i guess all is fair on the football field, or in the tunnel, or the dressing room... or anywhere else you decided to let out your anger management issues"
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