Vieira hits out at Keane over country jibe
Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has accused Manchester United counterpart Roy Keane of abandoning his country before the 2002 World Cup in retaliation to comments reportedly made by Keane this season.
Vieira has also pre-empted summer speculation about his future by insisting he will remain a Gunner for the remaining two years of his contract.
The duo, who will come face to face in Saturday’s FA Cup final, clashed minutes before the Barclays Premiership match between the two sides on February 1 when Keane had to be restrained as the teams waited to enter the pitch.
Keane reportedly taunted Vieira about his decision to play for France, rather than his country of birth Senegal.
“For someone who leaves his team in the World Cup, I think he should keep this kind of remark to himself,” said Vieira.
“He [Keane] 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.”
