Kerr blames Ferguson as Keane quits Republic

Roy Keane was persuaded to renege on an "unequivocal commitment" to play again for the Republic of Ireland by his club manager, Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson, it was revealed last night.

Brian Kerr, who takes charge of his first game as the Republic's manager tonight, barely concealed his anger as he described the train of events which led to Keane's impromptu decision yesterday evening to announce his international retirement. "I met Roy for three hours last week and he gave an unequivocal commitment that he would be back and would come to Scotland and start the process in relation to returning for the Georgia and Albania games," Kerr said.

"On Friday, I believe he went to see the medical people at Old Trafford and Sir Alex Ferguson. After that he rang me and said that he had reconsidered his position. I was obviously disappointed and said: 'Spend more time to think about it'. Sir Alex then rang me to explain the medical difficulties and that it was not the desire of Manchester United that Roy continue to play for Ireland."

It had been agreed that Keane's decision would be announced tomorrow morning after tonight's friendly against Scotland. Instead, the man capped 58 times revealed his international retirement in a statement to the national broadcaster, RTE, at 6pm.

Keane, 31, was sent home from the World Cup after a dispute with the then Irish manager, Mick McCarthy. But the Manchester United captain, who underwent a serious hip operation last year, said in his statement last night: "It has always been my desire to play again for Ireland and, following my meeting with Brian, I discussed in depth with my manager Alex Ferguson, my wife and my immediate family the possibility of my return to international football. I also consulted with my medical team who operated upon my hip last September.

'The unequivocal advice given to me by my doctors was that I should not return to international football."