Speculation mounted earlier in the day that the situation could be resolved and that Roy Keane might apologise and fly to Japan to rejoin the Republic of Ireland squad but Keane’s statement this evening put an end to any such hopes.
The earlier reports suggested that travel arrangements had been made for the player to leave for Izumo. However, Keane's agent Michael Kennedy suggested the reports were premature and said there had been no change whatsoever to the situation.
In a press interview this morning, McCarthy said he had put no pressure on the 22-man squad either way and seemed to leave the door open when he said if Keane were to apologise he would put it to the players and accept their decision on any possible return.
Niall Quinn said the decision to issue a two-paragraph statement from the players, in which they fully supported the decision by Mick McCarthy to send Keane home last week, was unanimous among the players, explaining that word "had filtered around that Mick had offered an olive branch.
"At breakfast time Mick called a meeting. He left the meeting and asked us to chat amongst ourselves," he said. "All 22 voted unanimously to back him [the manager]. There was no lobbying. Every single player was asked for their opinion and we came out of the meeting with the statement as you see it.
"I think after you talk to Mick, you'll find out we had no alternative," Quinn said.
McCarthy said he was disappointed that Keane didn’t say sorry.
Despite his obvious dismay, McCarthy suggested there may still have been a way for Keane to return to Japan. "The correct protocol for making an apology is to pick up the phone and give one. If an apology is made I will discuss it with the staff and the players and we’ll see what happens."
It said Keane’s actions and words before his expulsion had left them in no doubt that his position was untenable and it was in the squad’s best interests that he leave.
"Regrettably the manner of Roy’s behaviour prior to his departure from Saipan and the comments attributed to him since have left the staff and players in no doubt that the interests of the squad are best served without Roy’s presence".
They said there was no personal malice towards the Manchester United midfielder, and that they were confident of a successful World Cup campaign, even without their star player.