How Roy Keane ended Alfie Haaland’s career?
Football has seen its fair share of rivalries and heated encounters on the pitch, but few can match the intensity and controversy of the feud between Alf-Inge Haaland and Roy Keane. Their clash during a Manchester Derby in 2001 marked the beginning of a longstanding feud that would extend beyond the pitch and continue to captivate football fans for years. In this blog, we will delve into the events leading up to their infamous clash, the fallout, and the lasting impact of their rivalry.
The Build-up
The rivalry between Roy Keane and Alf-Inge Haaland began during a match between Manchester United and Leeds United on September 27, 1997. At the time, Haaland was playing for Leeds, and Keane was captaining Manchester United.
In an earlier encounter during the 1996-1997 season, Haaland had accused Keane of faking an injury to win a penalty, which led to bad blood between the two players.
Keane injures himself trying a tackle on the Norwegian
Fast forward to the match on September 27, 1997, and the atmosphere was charged with tension. Keane saw the opportunity to get revenge on Haaland for his previous comments and actions.
In the 22nd minute of the game, Keane lunged into a strong two-footed tackle on Haaland, who was in possession of the ball. The impact of the tackle caused Keane significant injury, resulting in a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee.
The Infamous Manchester Derby Clash
The defining moment of their rivalry occurred during a Manchester Derby on April 21, 2001. Haaland, now playing for Manchester City, taunted Keane, who was captain of Manchester United, about a previous injury he had suffered. Incensed, Keane launched a dangerous and infamous two-footed tackle on Haaland, leaving him writhing in pain on the ground.
The Fallout
The tackle resulted in a red card for Keane, who was subsequently handed a five-match ban and fined £150,000 by the Football Association. The incident caused outrage and divided opinions among football fans and pundits alike. Keane defended his actions, claiming that Haaland’s taunts triggered his reaction, while Haaland accused Keane of deliberately trying to injure him.
As the captain of Manchester United, Roy Keane was expected to lead by example and set a positive tone for his teammates and fans. The incident with Haaland raised questions about his suitability as a captain, with some critics arguing that his actions brought the club’s reputation into disrepute.
Critics argued that incidents like the one involving Keane and Haaland negatively impacted football’s image. Such incidents can overshadow the sport’s positive aspects and bring unwanted attention to the more aggressive and confrontational aspects of the game.
Alex Ferguson’s comments
Following the match, Alex Ferguson publicly defended Roy Keane, maintaining that the tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland was not premeditated or intended to cause harm. Ferguson supported Keane’s claim that the tackle was a reaction to past incidents and Haaland’s taunts.
In the aftermath of the incident, Alex Ferguson made comments that added fuel to the controversy. He publicly supported Roy Keane’s actions and, at times, appeared to justify the tackle based on Haaland’s past comments and accusations towards Keane. Ferguson’s comments were met with criticism from some football fans and pundits who believed that a manager should not condone such aggressive behavior on the pitch.
Haaland’s Career-Defining Injury
The tackle proved to be a pivotal moment in Haaland’s career. He suffered a serious knee injury as a result and was never the same player again. Though he continued playing for a few more years, his ability to perform at the same level was significantly hampered by the injury.
Continuing Animosity
Reports suggest that Ferguson attempted to mediate between Roy Keane and Alf-Inge Haaland to defuse tensions and potential further conflicts between the two players. However, it is unclear how successful these efforts were, as the rivalry and animosity between Keane and Haaland persisted for many years.
The animosity between the two players continued to linger for years. Keane’s autobiography, “The Second Half,” released in 2014, reignited the feud when he admitted that he deliberately set out to hurt Haaland during the infamous tackle.
Legal Action and Resolving the Feud
In 2003, Haaland filed a legal suit against Keane, claiming that the tackle had ended his career prematurely. However, the case was eventually dropped, and the feud persisted.
Leeds United’s then-chairman, Peter Ridsdale, publicly criticized Roy Keane for the tackle and suggested that Keane should be banned from football for life. However, no formal legal action was pursued by the club against Keane.
As the manager, Sir Alex Ferguson in his comments and statements to the media, sought to downplay the incident’s severity and emphasize that it was an isolated incident driven by emotions.
Legacy of the Rivalry
The rivalry between Alf-Inge Haaland and Roy Keane remains one of the most infamous and controversial in football history. It serves as a reminder of the intense emotions and passion that can drive players on the field, sometimes leading to regrettable actions.
The beef between Alf-Inge Haaland and Roy Keane was a fiery and unforgettable chapter in football’s history. Their clash during the Manchester Derby and the subsequent fallout left a lasting impact on both players’ careers and how Roy Keane ended Alfie Haaland’s career continues to be a significant talking point among football fans. While their rivalry may have had unsavory elements, it serves as a reminder of the passion, intensity, and the deep emotions that football can evoke on and off the pitch.
