KEANE SAGA: Roy Keane was yesterday charged by the English Football Association with two counts of bringing the game into disrepute after suggesting in his autobiography that he set out last year to harm Manchester City's Alfie Haaland.

The Manchester United captain seems likely to face a ban of at least three matches and a heavy fine if found guilty, though the suspension may be rendered meaningless by a hip injury that required surgery this week and is expected to keep him out for two months.

The FA said it had charged Keane for an allegedly "improperly motivated" tackle on Haaland during the Premiership derby at Old Trafford on April 21st, 2001, and for writing in his controversial autobiography of his desire to "exact revenge" on the Norwegian.

Keane was given 14 days to respond and is expected to contest the charges. He served a ban at the time for his wild tackle on Haaland after being sent off by the referee David Elleray.

Explaining its action, the FA said: "The first charge is as a result of the challenge itself on Haaland, which is alleged to have been improperly motivated, with an apparent element of revenge.

"The second charge relates to Roy Keane allegedly publishing for financial profit or reward an account in his autobiography, in which he speaks of a desire to exact revenge on Haaland, therefore bringing the game into disrepute."

Keane appears to make no secret of the fact that he deliberately harmed Haaland during their meeting in April last year.

Relations between the pair had soured in 1997 when Keane ruptured his cruciate knee ligaments at Elland Road after attempting to trip Haaland, who accused him of feigning injury.

"I'd waited almost 180 minutes for Alfie," Keane stated in his book. "I'd waited long enough. I hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that. And don't ever stand over me again sneering about fake injuries."

Keane insisted at the weekend that he had "never deliberately set out to injure any player" while his ghostwriter Eamon Dunphy admitted that he had taken some artistic licence in the autobiography.

However, having carefully studied Keane's book, the FA decided it had no option other than to charge the former Republic of Ireland captain.

Keane stated recently he was "not bothered" by the prospect of disciplinary action and there would have been "no point" in doing the book if he was not going to be honest.

He also faces possible legal action from Haaland and Manchester City in light of his revelations.

The FA has been keen to deal with disciplinary matters quickly and, unless it delays hearing Keane's case, any ban it imposes is likely to have little or no impact because of the player's operation. A suspended punishment might lead to a legal appeal by United.

Keane already faces a three-match suspension after his sending off at Sunderland last Saturday for elbowing his compatriot Jason McAteer.

Referees supremo Philip Don yesterday heaped praise on Uriah Rennie - a 16-stone kick-boxing fan - for physically restraining Keane after a clash with McAteer in weekend's match at Sunderland.

The Sheffield official, who is also a magistrate, went against convention when he seized Keane's arm and chest to prevent a confrontation with McAteer, the player he later elbowed to earn the 10th red card of his United career.

Don yesterday applauded the way Rennie, who at 6ft 2in tall towers above Keane, seized the moment.

Ex-referee Don, the Premier League's referees' officer and head of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, said: "Although the PGMOB do not encourage referees to become physically involved with players, it is necessary for a degree of common sense to be exercised in each individual instance.

"Uriah Rennie's intervention on this occasion served to prevent an escalation of the situation and was part of a very commendable refereeing performance. Uriah will not be reprimanded or disciplined in any way by the PGMOB."

Meanwhile, the managers of Manchester United's two main rivals yesterday played down the impact Keane's absence will have on the title race.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, in Nyon, Switzerland, for a UEFA Elite Coaches Forum today, said their minds were fixed on their own teams.

Wenger said: "Man United will lose a big player but usually the difference on the pitch is not just about one player.

"It could be a handicap for them but I have enough players who are out myself and I cannot worry too much about the players who are out in other teams."

Houllier said he wished Keane a speedy recovery and that it was important for the game that the best players took part.

The Liverpool manager added: "I want Roy Keane to play in every game. It's like asking if Michael Owen is injured would it be good for the others?

"Arsenal have shown they can cope without (Fredrik) Ljungberg and (Robert) Pires, and if you are a strong side you don't look at the others, you look at yourself and what your team can do.

"I'm not bothered whether Keane is playing or not, all I can wish for him is that he is."