Roy Keane tells his side of story on furious Ipswich fan confrontation and reveals he DID wait for supporter in car park
ROY KEANE has broken his silence on the major bust-up he had with an Ipswich fan last month.
The Manchester United legend was involved in a heated argument with a fan during an advert break while working for Sky Sports as his old club drew 1-1 with Ipswich at Portman Road.
In a video of the incident, the 53-year-old was heard telling a fan he would wait for them in the car park after the fan had yelled, "F*** you Keane".
The confrontation prompted an investigation by Sky chiefs to ascertain what happened, but Keane was back on TV the following Sunday for Liverpool's game against Manchester City.
But Keane has now lifted the lid of what happened from his point of view.
Speaking on a live showing of the , brought to you by , Keane said: "I wasn’t angry at the Ipswich Town game.
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"What happens when we’re doing matches and the analysis is happening at the end of the match when fans can be up or down, whatever emotions they are feeling – and people think they can abuse you, and it seems to be a, 'We’re supposed to accept that'.
"I went over to him twice – I said, 'No problem, if you want to abuse me or if you want a discussion with me, well I’m working'.
"I went over to him twice at different stages and he was swearing in front of kids.
"I said, 'If you want to see me afterwards' – and people thought I was asking him for a [fight] – I said, 'I’ll see you in the car park'.
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"Where else was I going to see him? He wasn’t there! I couldn't say see you in the lounge. They were obviously asked to leave the ground."
The comment prompted laughter from co-stars on the live panel, including Ian Wright, Jill Scott, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Derek Chisora.
Wright admitted he was "quite angry" at the incident before Keane spoke about it.
The Ipswich fan appears to have been taking their anger out on Keane following his difficult 21-month spell in charge of the club which ended almost 14 years ago.
Ipswich was Keane's last job in management.
Having worked with Sky since 2011, Keane has cast doubt over his long-term future with the broadcaster after saying he would "absolutely not" be working in punditry in 10 years time.
He also declared he is looking to move abroad in the next couple of years, earmarking "beautiful" Switzerland as a possible destination.
Arsenal icon Wright explained what the typical implications of asking someone to meet in a car park would be offering someone out.
But Keane hit back saying: "No I'm not offering someone out, I'm 53 years of age with five kids and two grandkids."
Keane said he then waited in the car and said the fan "wasn't there".
He added: "I was calm. That's not me getting angry. Did I wait in car park? There were other idiots in the car park, other people hanging around.
"But I don't get it and obviously the anger people have is that I'm asking someone out for a fight."
Keane also spoke about the incident at Arsenal last year where he was left "shaken" after he was headbutted by a fan.
The ex-midfielder added: "Bizarrely I had that last year as well at Arsenal. Thank god the judge could see through the nonsense and realise I was assaulted.
"But honestly, I wasn't angry last weekend. I just said, 'I'll see you later'. I was calm."
With the panel reduced to silence listening to Keane, he quipped: "You don't believe me do you?"
Laughter came from the panel before Wright admitted he would have likely "escalated" the situation if he was there.
He recalled the hilarious story of how he would chase down drivers who had not said thank you to him when he had let them go.
Wright said: "I would have escalated that if I was there.
"What do I do when I'm angry? I don't get as angry now, but like when I'm driving and I let people through and they don't say thank you and I'm fine.
"Normally that is at least a five-minute chase of real anxiousness to try and get by the side.
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"I remember there were times where I'd done that and gone (gestured with arms out) and they'd go, 'Hey thanks', and then you go, 'It's okay' and then you drive off.
"I don't really get angry like that anymore. That used to really bother me. But now I'm like, 'Just relax'."
Roy Keane's angriest moments
What really ticks off Roy Keane?
The Irishman is known for his no-nonsense approach to football.
And some particular things really do get on Keane's wick.
It all makes for great entertainment for fans, who love the Man United legend's take on the beautiful game.
But is Keane being a bit too sensitive himself?
From smiling players to ABBA, nothing is sacred.
And we all know about his dislike for a prawn sarnie...