NIIGATA (Japan), May 28: Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has denied suggestions he forced his World Cup squad to choose between him or disgraced former captain Roy Keane.

Striker Niall Quinn, who sources close to the squad claim has been lobbying privately for Keane’s return to Japan, hinted in an emotional news conference on Tuesday that he and others had been left with “no choice” but to take a stance against Keane.

But in a news conference later in the day, McCarthy — who sent Keane home after the midfielder verbally abused him in a team meeting last week — told reporters: “There was no ultimatum (to the players on Tuesday).

“I left (the issue) with them to decide...if the players wanted the situation reversed, I would go with them.

“I’m aware of people (outside the squad) trying to get Roy back, but it needs to be done properly.

“No apology has been offered by Roy. If I have to apologise for something, I pick up the phone to do it.”

Quinn told Tuesday’s news conference: “If he (Keane) had apologised on TV he would have been on his way to Japan right now — there was a plane booked.”

The veteran Ireland striker, clearly upset by the affair, wiped away a tear at one point as he revealed that the players held a meeting with McCarthy on Tuesday after a sleepless night. “In the meeting Mick effectively ended any chance of Roy Keane appearing in the World Cup finals,” said Quinn.

Nevertheless, McCarthy asked the players to discuss the matter among themselves.

“All 22 of us voted unanimously to back him (McCarthy)...no one here feels good about what’s happened and we feel devastated for him.”—Reuters