TTFF NEWS - Warner's Response to Keane's Comments

JACK AUSTIN WARNER                                               100 YEARS FIFA 1904‐2004   
FIFA Vice President

September 12, 2008
Mr Roy Keane
Manager
Sunderland F.C.

Dear Mr Keane,

The disrespectful tone of your reported comments in the press further demonstrates the total disrespect that you and others of your ilk have generally for players and officials from "small" countries. It is obviously difficult for you to accept the fact that someone from a "small" country could rise to become a Vice President of FIFA.

I chose to respond on a FIFA letter-head because that is a privilege afforded me owing to my said status and the fact that your callousness showed utter disregard for FIFA's regulations re the release of players for international duty. regrettably, but not surprisingly, you did not grasp the message.

Your reference to the injury sustained by Kenwyne Jones during an International Friendly between Trinidad and Tobago and England bears no relevance to the matter in question as, contrary to what you would have others believe, we have been monitoring his progress and I have even extended to him, through his Agent, Mike Berry, on more than one occasion my words of comfort and continuing concern.

In closing may I remind you that a player's greatest honour is to represent his country in spite of the fact that you chose to walk away from yours during the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup after publicly abusing your Manager.............an indictment that you will no doubt be proud of up to today. Poor Sunderland ! ! !

Yours sincerely
Jack Warner
Vice President
FIFA
 
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Keane: Warner's a clown

 

 

Roy Keane

 

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By Graeme Anderson

Roy Keane today labelled Fifa vice-president Jack Warner a "clown".

 

The Sunderland manager was responding to criticism from Warner about the club's treatment of Dwight Yorke.

 

Yorke was recalled home after playing one game for Trinidad and Tobago during the international break and Warner accused him of having a 'mean streak'.

 

Keane, though, reacted contentiously to the criticism.

 

He told the Echo: "I have seen what has been said and I am disappointed but not surprised that he has chosen to make his criticisms through the media.

 

"You've got to bear in mind that Dwight is supposed to have retired from international football about five times now and has yet to play a first team game for us after suffering a stress fracture of his cheek.

 

"To play two games inside a week was always going to be too much for him and Trinidad and Tobago were aware of that.

 

"I spoke to Jack Warner about the situation but I'm not surprised at what has been said by him.

 

"The man is a clown.

 

"I think he's a disgrace to go through the media the way he has.

 

"He doesn't really care about the players in the way he claims.

 

"He said he does but he doesn't."