Roy Keane Reflects on Infamous Tackle and Feud with Haaland

Roy Keane has reiterated his stance regarding the infamous tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland that ignited a bitter feud between the two footballers over two decades ago. The conflict began in 1997 when Keane suffered a serious knee injury while playing for Manchester United against Leeds United. Following the incident, Haaland accused Keane of feigning injury, which ignited Keane’s anger.

In a recent interview on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane addressed the tackle that occurred four years later during a Manchester derby at Old Trafford, where he lunged at Haaland while he was playing for Manchester City. Keane was sent off for the foul, which he later admitted was intentional in his 2002 autobiography. “I’d waited long enough. I f****** hit him hard,” Keane wrote, demonstrating the intensity of their rivalry. At the time, he received a three-match ban and a £5,000 fine, which later increased to £150,000 and an additional five-match suspension after he acknowledged the malicious intent behind the tackle.

Despite the severe consequences, Keane maintains that he never intended to cause serious harm. He stated, “I still don’t think it was a bad tackle, I really don’t. I don’t care what anyone says. It’s not as bad as everyone thinks it is.” According to Keane, there is a significant difference between hurting someone and injuring them, claiming, “I was trying to hurt him, not injure somebody.”

Haaland, who ultimately retired from professional football in 2003 due to an injury to his other leg, has a different perspective on the incident. In a 2024 commentary, he reflected on the long-term effects of the tackle, saying, “I haven’t played a full 90 minutes after that incident, that’s the hard fact.” He expressed disappointment over Keane’s lack of accountability, adding, “I think that’s a bit sad. Sad for football and it was not good for me either at the time.”

The former striker pointed out the timing of his injury, suggesting that Keane’s actions were indeed a factor. “If you’re in the ground and someone hits you in the right leg, you can still twist your other leg,” Haaland explained. He noted that he played for Norway just four days after the incident, yet the repercussions lingered throughout his career.

Keane has often cited that Haaland continued to play shortly after the tackle, arguing that it undermines the claim that the incident led to Haaland’s early retirement. “Haaland finished the game and played four days later for Norway,” he remarked, suggesting that the tackle’s impact may not have been as severe as Haaland contends.

The feud between the two players illustrates the intensity of professional football rivalries and the lasting effects of on-field incidents. As both Keane and Haaland reflect on their shared history, it remains evident that the emotions surrounding that infamous tackle continue to resonate within the football community.