Roy Keane aims fresh dig at Alf-Inge Haaland 25 years after infamous tackle

Jack Otway
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:12:32 +0000

Roy Keane has sparked fresh controversy by taking aim at Erling Haaland's father, a quarter of a century after their infamous on-pitch confrontation.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast, the former Manchester United captain suggested Alf-Inge Haaland would have collapsed to the ground had he received the same treatment his son did from Arsenal defender Gabriel during Manchester City's recent showdown.

"His dad would have gone down!" Keane remarked.

The comments came after Gabriel headbutted Erling during Manchester City's recent 2-1 victory, with the Norwegian striker earning widespread praise for remaining upright rather than going to ground.

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The Arsenal centre-back received only a yellow card for the incident, with many observers commending Haaland junior's sporting conduct.

The jibe represents the latest chapter in a bitter rivalry stretching back nearly three decades.

During a Manchester derby in 2001, Keane was dismissed for a vicious challenge that saw him drive his studs into Alf-Inge's right knee.

The tackle effectively ended the Norwegian midfielder's playing career, with Haaland managing only four substitute appearances the following season before hanging up his boots.

Keane's assault appeared to be retribution for an incident four years earlier when Alf-Inge, then representing Leeds, stood over the Irishman and accused him of feigning injury.

In reality, Keane had suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament that would sideline him for the rest of that campaign.

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"Don't ever stand over me again sneering about fake injuries," Keane shouted at Haaland during the 2001 confrontation.

The Football Association handed Keane a three-match suspension and £5,000 fine for the challenge.

However, further punishment followed the next year when the midfielder revealed his true intentions in his autobiography.

"I'd waited long enough. I fing hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that you c**t," he wrote.

This admission resulted in an additional five-match ban and a £150,000 fine.

Despite the severity of the incident, Keane has consistently refused to express remorse.

"Can I tell you something, I have never regretted anything I have done on a football pitch, never," he told Micah Richards in 2021.

"Did I go to hurt players? Of course I did. I'd never apologise for that."

Keane's animosity has extended to the younger Haaland as well, with the pundit repeatedly criticising the City striker in recent years.

After the hitman scored four goals against Wolves, Keane branded him a "spoilt brat" for his furious reaction to being substituted.

The former United skipper has also questioned the Norwegian's all-round abilities despite his prolific goalscoring record.

"In front of goal he's the best in the world, but his general play is so poor," Keane said. "He's almost like a League Two player - that's the way I look at him. His general play has to improve."