Roy Keane has been slammed by fans after his remarkable rant on the abuse suffered by European players, Rory McIlroy in particular, at this year’s Ryder Cup.
Despite Team Europe finishing the Ryder Cup weekend victorious, historically becoming the first side to win on away soil since 2012, the tournament was marred by a tidal wave of abuse from the home support.
McIlroy was subject to the most severe treatment, facing vile homophobic slurs and personal insults about his private life, often shouted while he was trying to hit shots.
His wife Erica had a drink thrown at her on the 17th tee, leaving Shane Lowry stunned by the "astonishing" treatment she endured.
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The Northern Irishman eventually snapped back at one spectator who called out during his backswing, admitting later that the constant heckling had got to him.
The level of abuse led to the CEO of the American PGA, Derek Sprague, declaring: "There's no place for that at the Ryder Cup, no place for it in the game of golf, and we are not happy with what happened last week.
Rory McIlroy suffered abuse throughout the tournament including personal insults and homophobic slurs | X"I haven't spoken to Rory or Erica [Stoll], but I do plan on sending them an email with my heartfelt apologies because of what occurred."
Former Ireland midfielder Keane, known for his no-nonsense approach, did not take such a sympathetic approach.
Roy Keane became very animated when discussing this year's Ryder Cup
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On a recent episode of the Stick to Football podcast, the Manchester United legend became irate over the golfer’s decision to bring their wives onto the course, claiming they knew they would suffer from the obscene levels of abuse.
"So, you tell me. I'm no expert in golf - I don't play but I watch the sport," Keane said.
"You're saying the pressure on these players because some people were shouting?
"Become a footballer and go to Leeds or Anfield on a Tuesday night, let me tell you.
Roy Keane was joined by Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright and Gary Neville on the Stick to Football Podcast
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"These guys play in big tournaments every week. All of a sudden, they're going to be upset by a few Yanks? You've got McIlroy - McIlroy's won all the big prizes. Do you think he's going to be upset by a few people? It's ridiculous!
"Of course they knew [abuse was coming]. They've built it up for the last six months, 'Wait till you come to America.' Of course they knew they were going to get abused!"
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The 54-year-old suggested a solution to the problem: "If I was a golfer, and my partner was getting abuse, I'd say to my partner, or my wife, or my girlfriend, 'Just stay in the hotel. I'll see you tonight when I get back.'
"You don't come to the other tournaments, but guess what? You get a new outfit and come to the Ryder Cup! You've got a new outfit, a new belt, and then I'm getting loads of stick? Well, go home!
Rory McIlroy told one fan to 'shut the f*** up' after he shouted during the Northern Irishman's practice swing
| X"I guarantee you they're going back to a nice hotel, they're not in a camp, in a tent.
"They knew it was coming. It’s been built up for the last six months. Of course, they knew they were going to get abused."
Fans were quick to take to social media to hammer Keane, who felt it was the fans who deserved criticism and not players or particularly their wives.
Rory McIlroy's wife, Erica Stoll, was apparently struck by a drink hurled from the hostile crowd during the Ryder Cup
| XOne fan said: "It wasn’t just verbal abuse, she had beer thrown over her as well.
"Most wives of top sportsmen would go along to see their husbands if they were in a hugely significant game. Did his wife never go along to finals? Has he got issues?"
Another questioned: "Why should it be the responsibility of her to stay away from one of the most prestigious events just because of some foul, loud-mouthed yobs?
"Roy has this completely wrong, they were so out of order to Lowry and McIlroy, would he expect wives to stay away from football matches?"
While a third added: "What a poor take… We shouldn’t need to hide the partners away because scum are shouting and throwing beer at them?"
Keane ended the segment with a jovial jab at McIlroy, however.
The Northern Irishman joined Keane and co on the Overlap podcast a year ago as a special guest, and recalled when he met the former Nottingham Forest midfielder, who turned down his autograph request.
During the most recent episode, Keane joked: "I didn't see [McIlroy] signing autographs after, by the way! All those little kids waiting for him!"
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