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| Roy Keane shouts at Alf Inge Haaland after being sent off for 'that' tackle in April of last year (© Getty Images) |
Roy Keane has been banned for five matches and fined Stg£150,000 after he was found guilty on two charges of bringing the game into disrepute at his FA hearing at the Reebok Stadium today.
The first charge related to his infamous tackle on Alfie Haaland at Old Trafford in April, 2001, which the three-man FA disciplinary panel today confirmed had been "improperly motivated".
The second arose from Keane's decision to cash in on the tackle by detailing it in his recently released autobiography.
Manchester United have expressed their disappointment at the punishment handed to Keane and are now considering whether to lodge an appeal.
The Manchester United captain has 14 days to appeal against the punishment which will start on November 4th, unless any appeal is successful.
United club director and solicitor Maurice Watkins, flanked by Keane and United boss Alex Ferguson, said: "Clearly after the arguments that have been put forward in Roy's defence we are disappointed with the verdict.
"After such a long day, now is not the time to make quick decisions so we will be reviewing the question of appeal over the next few days."
The ban leaves the Keane in a somewhat tricky position given his imminent return to fitness from a hip operation.
Should Keane choose to extend the inquiry into the revelations, he would almost certainly have to serve any ban while fully fit.
The games Keane will miss are: November 5th, Leicester, Worthington Cup (h); November 9th, Man City, Premiership (a); November 17th, West Ham, Premiership, (a); November 23th, Newcastle, Premiership, (h); December 1ts, Liverpool, Premiership, (a).
The fine amounts to two weeks wages but is a record fine imposed by the FA.
The punishment will start three weeks from now, which is effectively the date manager Alex Ferguson said Keane would return from his hip operation. Keane should return for United's home Premiership game with Arsenal on December 7th.