Soccer

Kenny has eyebrow bitten off in fight

Republic of Ireland and Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny was involved in a brawl with a friend outside a restaurant in…

Thu Nov 16 2006 - 00:00

Republic of Ireland and Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny was involved in a brawl with a friend outside a restaurant in Halifax in the early hours of Monday morning.

The incident resulted in Kenny having his left eyebrow bitten off, sustaining bruising and swelling to the eye.

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock is to speak with Kenny, although he believes the 27-year-old was more sinned against than sinner in relation to the incident.

"You obviously don't like things like this, and if Paddy had been the offender then I would be more concerned," Warnock said.

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"But I don't believe this particular incident was Paddy's fault. His only fault was going out where he shouldn't have done.

"I've told Paddy in the past not to go out in Halifax, and all of a sudden he is back out there. It's not a coincidence. He won't be going out in Halifax again. I'll be making my point clear to him on that."

Ironically, if Kenny had been called into the Republic squad that faced San Marino in a Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday night, he would not have made front-page news in Ireland.

But manager Steve Staunton opted to leave Kenny out of the squad on this occasion, citing the goalkeeper's reported marital problems.

"I spoke to Paddy on Friday and everything had been going well," said Warnock, who feels confident the player will face Manchester United in Saturday's Premiership game at Bramall Lane.

"People have marital problems and divorces, but he has been coping great with that. I've been through one myself, and it's not an easy situation, especially if there are children involved.

"To be fair to Paddy, I think he has done well over the last few weeks. I've been delighted with him.

"But I'm disappointed he has put himself in a position like this, and there's nothing I can do about it unless I start telling him which friends he should and shouldn't be going out with.

"On this occasion he has let himself down, and he has let me down and I think he is more embarrassed about it than anything else. But then things happen with young lads like him."