The details behind Roy Keane’s heated argument with an Ipswich Town supporter have emerged, with the disgruntled fan lashing out at the former Manchester United captain over an unpleasant past encounter.
According to a local witness, the irate fan was furious with Keane for previously refusing to sign his children’s autographs and for being unpleasant when approached during his time as Ipswich manager.
The confrontation took place after Sunday’s Premier League match between Ipswich and Manchester United at Portman Road. Mail Sport reported that Keane responded to the fan’s verbal abuse by inviting him to continue their argument in the car park.
Neil Finbow, who witnessed the altercation from the pitch barrier, shed light on what exactly happened between Keane and the supporter during an exclusive interview.
He explained that the fan had expressed frustration with Keane’s behavior towards his children years ago, claiming that Keane had been rude and denied them autographs during his managerial tenure.
Speaking to Mail Sport, Finbow said: ‘The falling out all stemmed from an issue with his children. The fan’s problem was about getting autographs when he was manager here. The man actually said that Roy Keane ruled with fear.
The details behind Roy Keane’s heated argument with an Ipswich Town supporter have emerged, with the disgruntled fan lashing out over an unpleasant past encounter
According to a nearby witness (pictured in the blue jacket on the right), the irate fan (pictured in the black jacket with a fur hood) was furious with Keane for previously refusing to give his children an autograph and for being obnoxious.
‘You saw him point to the parking lot, because that’s where the autographs were signed, and that’s where he had a problem with Roy all those years ago. So it makes sense that they pointed there.”
Finbow noted that Keane’s comments may have been misinterpreted: “What Roy said back could have been misinterpreted. Maybe he wanted to talk in the parking lot, because that’s where it all happened. It’s hard to say. But hey, he could have meant, “I’ll talk to you in the parking lot,” but it came across as if he was inviting him [for a fight].’
Jamie Redknapp, who was nearby, briefly intervened during the incident. Finbow clarified Redknapp’s role, saying: ‘He didn’t really intervene. He just talked to Roy from behind. I don’t remember him coming in and pulling it away. Roy kind of pointed in this guy’s face.”
Finbow also expressed surprise at the lack of security during the confrontation: “There was no security or anything, which I was surprised about. Roy directed his comments at the fan who had the major problem because of his children. Some nice words have been said about that.’
He added that Keane’s repeated comments stood out: ‘There was eye contact with that man in the middle [and Keane]but then he just came over and said, ‘I’ll see you in the parking lot, out in the parking lot, I’ll see you in the parking lot.’ That’s all he kept saying.’
Reflecting on the situation, Finbow admitted he was shocked by Keane’s decision to engage with the fan: ‘We were surprised he came over because a lot of ex-players and managers come here. They all get a stick, but I was as shocked as anyone when Roy came along.”
Asked what followed, Finbow described the scene: “The stewards told us to just move on. I continued with my mother – she can barely climb the stairs – so I helped her up and went outside with my son. We just left. Let them [the pundits] continued with their interviews and we went home.’
Finbow emphasized that he was not the one who harassed Keane: “I never get personal with anyone. I never do that. I’m down there with my mother. She is 83 years old. My son and I have been going since he was five. He is now 21. We always throw the players off the field, that’s why I was at the front. The only comment I made to him was, “You’re a better expert than a manager.”
Keane has had a tense relationship with many Ipswich fans following his managerial spell at the club
The Manchester United legend joined Ipswich in 2009 and was later sacked in January 2011.
Keane’s tumultuous relationship with Ipswich Town fans stems from his spell as manager of the club between 2009 and 2011.
During his tenure, Keane played 81 matches, winning 28, losing 28 and drawing 25. His side dropped to 21st in the Championship before he was sacked in January 2011.
Reflecting on his time at Ipswich, Keane has previously admitted that his ongoing feud with parts of the fanbase served as motivation during his time as manager.