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Keane and Haaland Sr. Clash Continues: 'When You Drink, You See Matches Differently'
🇬🇷 Greece /Sports

Keane and Haaland Sr. Clash Continues: 'When You Drink, You See Matches Differently'

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A public spat continues between former footballers Roy Keane and Alf-Inge Haaland, father of Erling Haaland, over a World Cup qualifier match.
  • Haaland Sr. criticized the referee's decisions after Norway's loss to England, suggesting the referee favored England.
  • Keane retorted that Haaland Sr. seemed drunk during matches and unfairly blamed the referee, reigniting a long-standing feud between the two players that dates back to 1997.

The rivalry between former footballers Roy Keane and Alf-Inge Haaland, father of star striker Erling Haaland, has resurfaced, this time fueled by comments made after a World Cup qualifier between England and Norway.

Haaland Sr. drew attention during the match when cameras captured his animated reactions to a penalty call favoring England, which was later overturned by VAR. Following Norway's 2-1 defeat, he took to social media to express his dissatisfaction with the officiating, writing, "Well done Bellingham and the referee. Really? The referee saved you! I hope you win the World Cup, but you robbed us!"

Well done Bellingham and the referee. Really? The referee saved you! I hope you win the World Cup, but you robbed us!

— Alf-Inge HaalandHis social media post criticizing the referee's decisions after Norway's World Cup qualifier loss to England.

Roy Keane, while working as a pundit, responded sharply to Haaland Sr.'s remarks. During a broadcast, Keane suggested that Haaland Sr. appeared intoxicated during games, stating, "When you drink, you see the matches differently." He defended the referee's decision on the disallowed Norwegian goal as a clear foul, but argued that Haaland Sr. could not claim the referee cost Norway their qualification. Keane also referenced past criticisms of Harry Maguire's family's involvement in media coverage, implying a low blow.

This latest exchange is rooted in a deep-seated animosity between Keane and Alf-Inge Haaland that began in 1997. The feud escalated in 2001 when Keane intentionally fouled the elder Haaland during a Manchester United vs. Manchester City match, later admitting in his autobiography that the act was revenge for perceived past grievances, including an accusation by Haaland Sr. that Keane had feigned injury in a previous derby. Nearly three decades later, their conflict continues to generate discussion.

He always seems to be drunk at the games. When you drink, you see the matches differently. It was a clear push. You can disagree with some decisions, but you can't say the referee cost Norway the qualification.

— Roy KeaneResponding to Alf-Inge Haaland's criticism of the referee during a TV broadcast.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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