- Roy Keane was sent off in 2001 for throwing a ball at Alan Shearer’s head
- Speaking on Sunday afternoon, Keane admitted that Shearer still ‘annoys’ him
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Roy Keane has reignited one of the Premier League’s most memorable rivalries by admitting Alan Shearer still annoys him nearly 20 years after they last shared a pitch.
The former Manchester United captain, now 53, was sent off during a chaotic 4-3 defeat at Newcastle in 2001 after clashing with Shearer in stoppage time. Having been shoved by the Magpies striker, Keane hurled the ball at his head, then tried to swing a punch, and was shown a red card.
United had fought back from 3-1 down that day, only for an 82nd-minute Wes Brown own goal to hand the home side the win.
Keane was back at St James’ Park on Sunday in his role as a Sky Sports pundit.
Speaking before the latest meeting between the two sides, he could not resist taking a swipe at a couple of familiar names.
He said: ‘People annoy me. I think I got fined two weeks’ wages. I’m still annoyed at Wes for that own goal at the end.
Roy Keane (No 16) was sent off during a game in 2001 following a clash with Alan Shearer (left)
Keane threw a ball at Shearer’s head before swinging and missing at the Newcastle striker
Speaking on Sky Sports on Sunday, Keane said that Shearer still ‘annoys’ him, two decades on
‘People used to annoy me. One in particular. And he still annoys me.’
While he did not mention Shearer by name, the pointed comment, combined with a knowing smirk, left little doubt. The pair’s infamous bust-up remains one of the Premier League’s most iconic flashpoints.
Reflecting on the incident in later years, Keane said: ‘I lost my temper, we were losing 4-3 in the last minute.
‘If you’re going to get sent off, the worst thing is, I pushed him. If you’re going to get sent off you might as well punch him properly because you’re going to get the same punishment.
‘You might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb. That’s what I was thinking afterwards. It was just a push. It was ridiculous.’
Although that fiery clash lives long in the memory, the two fierce competitors actually shared a pitch for the final time nearly four years later, in August 2005, when Manchester United beat Newcastle 2-0 at St James’ Park.
Keane played just twice more for United after that, before moving to Celtic later that year. He retired in June 2006 on medical advice. Shearer also called time on his career at the end of the 2005-06 season.
