Joey Barton has slammed Roy Keane and expressed a belief the former Manchester United star ‘crossed a threshold’ when he injured Alfie Haaland back in 2001.
Manchester United and Manchester City met that year with the Red Devils pushing to win the Premier League title.
However, the match would be marred by controversy due to an incident that happened with five minutes left on the clock.
Keane was dismissed for a knee-high foul on Haaland and appeared to insult the former City defender as he lay helpless on the turf.
Joey Barton has slammed Roy Keane and expressed a belief the former Manchester United star ‘crossed a threshold’ when he injured Alfie Haaland back in 2001
X/PA
The United icon was initially given a three-game ban and a £5,000 fine from The Football Association.
However, Keane found himself in more hot water the following year when he said in his autobiography that he’d intended to hurt the Norwegian.
Haaland had previously riled the former Manchester United star by accusing him of faking injury during a match.
Keane said: “I’d waited long enough. I f***ing hit him hard.
“The ball was there (I think). Take that you c**t. And don’t ever stand over me sneering about fake injuries.”
Keane also later maintained that he had no regrets.
He said: “My attitude was, f**k him. What goes around comes around. He got his just rewards. He fucked me over and my attitude is an eye for an eye.”
Barton has gone after Keane in the past.
Roy Keane admitted to deliberately injuring Alfie Haaland during the 2001 Manchester Derby
PA
And now, speaking on The Dozen podcast with Liam Tuffs, Barton has blasted Keane for his past actions.
“There was an era when it was f***ing tough out there, even Roy Keane and Alfie Haaland that, for me, that’s beyond the threshold.
“That’s like that’s…I’m fighting with Roy after the game.
“Or any time I see Roy on site we’re fighting. If he ever done that to me. On site for the rest of his life, like.
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“Cause that’s…that’s trying to maim you. I like hard and fair but with football there’s a duty of care.
“Not trying to break anybody’s body or limbs.”
This isn’t the first time Barton has gone for Keane.
Speaking in December, he dubbed the Irishman a ‘b*****d’ before adding: “Keane’s started doing my cap in as well.
Joey Barton and Roy Keane pictured while representing Manchester United and Manchester City
GETTY
“And if he wants a Misfits charity boxing match I’ll happily punch Roy Keane’s head in, if anybody wants to get that on.
“Especially for offering out an Ipswich fan who’s shouting at him saying I’ll meet you in the car park.
“And I’m like shut up Roy, you b*****d.”