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    ‘Everybody makes mistakes’ – Ex-Premier League ref Mark Halsey says David Coote should KEEP job despite cocaine shame

    FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey reckons David Coote should keep his job despite his cocaine shame.SunSport exclusively revealed the moment top-flight official Coote snorted the class-A drug in a video taken during Euro 2024.Mark Halsey hopes David Coote can keep his ref job despite his cocaine shameCoote was also filmed branding ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a ‘German c**t’Credit: XWe also revealed how he set up a drugs party in a Travelodge before last month’s Carabao Cup clash between Tottenham and Man City – even sending a message during half-time while acting as the fourth official.Coote’s drug shame came to light following his suspension after being filmed in another video branding ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a “German c**t.”An investigation has now been launched by the Premier League and the PGMOL referee body.While it has since been revealed that no referee or match official has ever been tested for drugs in the history of the Prem.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA decision on Coote’s future will be made once the PGMOL have concluded their investigation.But former Prem official Halsey would like to see him continue working as a ref.Speaking on SunSport’s YouTube show The Whistleblower, Halsey expressed sympathy for Coote’s situation while saying “everybody makes mistakes.”He urged the Premier League and PGMOL to ensure a duty of care for the suspended ref.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd Halsey is hopeful Coote can get the help he needs before returning to the field as an official.When asked where the situation left the PGMOL – and the credibility of Prem refs – Halsey said: “It’s difficult for me to say.Moment scandal-hit Prem ref David Coote snorts white powder in shocking video during Euro 2024Shocking David Coote video in fullFirst videoFirst man: “What did you think of the Liverpool game earlier when you were fourth official?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm Liverpool were s***.”First man: “What did you think of Jurgen Klopp?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “C***, absolute c***.”First man: “Why would you say that Jurgen Klopp is a c***?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm, aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown.”Then, he accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ing pop at me – and I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody whose f***ing arrogant.”So I do my best not to speak to him. [James] Milner is alright, I get on with Milner.”First man: “James Milner, he gets on with James Milner.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “You can see me there with mask on.”First man: “Mask on, obviously.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yea Covid, got to be done. Social distancing right? We’re two meters apart.”First man: “We have to social distance.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yep, so but [exhales] my God. German c***, f*** me.”First man: “Long story short, Jurgen Klopp’s a c***, Liverpool are all f***ing b******s, we hate Scousers.”Second videoSecond man (allegedly Coote): “Right just to be clear, that f***ing last video cant go anywhere, seriously.”First man: He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not f***ing ruin his career.”Like let’s face we’re good blokes but we can’t ruin a bloke’s career. We’re not that bad. Also he’s a f***ing legend.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “So, yeah.”First man: “So lets not ruin his career.”“Obviously a lot of officials will be hurting and there will be feeling for David Coote.“I feel for David, he’s got to be supported by the PGMOL with his mental health. I can imagine exactly what he’s going through at this present time.“People could argue he’s bought it upon himself but at the same time we’ve got a duty of care with David, the PGMOL and the Premier League, a duty of care to help him get through this.“The question to ask is does he deserve to keep his position as an elite referee? I’m not going to make any judgement on that.“Everybody makes mistakes, I’d like to see him rehabilitated on situations and perhaps keep his job.“Hopefully he learns from his mistakes but that’s not for me to decide. That’s down to the PGMOL and Premier League to carry out their investigation and come to a conclusion.” More

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    ‘Everybody makes mistakes’ – Ex-Premier League ref Mark Halsey says David Coote should KEEP job despite snorting shame

    FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey reckons David Coote should keep his job despite his snorting shame.SunSport exclusively revealed the moment top-flight official Coote snorted a white powder in a video taken during Euro 2024.Mark Halsey hopes David Coote can keep his ref job despite his snorting shameCoote was also filmed branding ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a ‘German c**t’Credit: XWe also revealed how he set up a drugs party in a Travelodge before last month’s Carabao Cup clash between Tottenham and Man City – even sending a message during half-time while acting as the fourth official.Coote’s drug shame came to light following his suspension after being filmed in another video branding ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a “German c**t.”An investigation has now been launched by the Premier League and the PGMOL referee body.While it has since been revealed that no referee or match official has ever been tested for drugs in the history of the Prem.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA decision on Coote’s future will be made once the PGMOL have concluded their investigation.But former Prem official Halsey would like to see him continue working as a ref.Speaking on SunSport’s YouTube show The Whistleblower, Halsey expressed sympathy for Coote’s situation while saying “everybody makes mistakes.”He urged the Premier League and PGMOL to ensure a duty of care for the suspended ref.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd Halsey is hopeful Coote can get the help he needs before returning to the field as an official.When asked where the situation left the PGMOL – and the credibility of Prem refs – Halsey said: “It’s difficult for me to say.Moment scandal-hit Prem ref David Coote snorts white powder in shocking video during Euro 2024Shocking David Coote video in fullFirst videoFirst man: “What did you think of the Liverpool game earlier when you were fourth official?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm Liverpool were s***.”First man: “What did you think of Jurgen Klopp?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “C***, absolute c***.”First man: “Why would you say that Jurgen Klopp is a c***?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm, aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown.”Then, he accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ing pop at me – and I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody whose f***ing arrogant.”So I do my best not to speak to him. [James] Milner is alright, I get on with Milner.”First man: “James Milner, he gets on with James Milner.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “You can see me there with mask on.”First man: “Mask on, obviously.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yea Covid, got to be done. Social distancing right? We’re two meters apart.”First man: “We have to social distance.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yep, so but [exhales] my God. German c***, f*** me.”First man: “Long story short, Jurgen Klopp’s a c***, Liverpool are all f***ing b******s, we hate Scousers.”Second videoSecond man (allegedly Coote): “Right just to be clear, that f***ing last video cant go anywhere, seriously.”First man: He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not f***ing ruin his career.”Like let’s face we’re good blokes but we can’t ruin a bloke’s career. We’re not that bad. Also he’s a f***ing legend.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “So, yeah.”First man: “So lets not ruin his career.”“Obviously a lot of officials will be hurting and there will be feeling for David Coote.“I feel for David, he’s got to be supported by the PGMOL with his mental health. I can imagine exactly what he’s going through at this present time.“People could argue he’s bought it upon himself but at the same time we’ve got a duty of care with David, the PGMOL and the Premier League, a duty of care to help him get through this.“The question to ask is does he deserve to keep his position as an elite referee? I’m not going to make any judgement on that.“Everybody makes mistakes, I’d like to see him rehabilitated on situations and perhaps keep his job.“Hopefully he learns from his mistakes but that’s not for me to decide. That’s down to the PGMOL and Premier League to carry out their investigation and come to a conclusion.” More

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    ‘Referees don’t understand football!’ – Ex-Prem official slams PGMOL for serious Chelsea and Liverpool errors

    FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey has criticised officials for their knowledge of the game following controversial decisions over the weekend.Halsey, 63, took charge of top-flight matches in England from 1999 to 2013.Leicester’s Wilfred Ndidi avoided a red card for this challenge on Chelsea’s Cole PalmerCredit: GettyLiverpool were awarded a penalty after the ball struck Southampton defender Yukinari Sugawara’s armCredit: AFPFormer Premier League referee Mark Halsey has slammed the PGMOL for last weekend’s decisionsNow he is a SunSport analyst and columnist and regularly gives his take on decisions made by the current crop of Premier League referees.And in the latest episode of The Whistleblower he highlighted two particular calls he believes were mistakes.The first of those was the penalty Liverpool were awarded which won them the game against Southampton after the ball struck Yukinari Sugawara’s arm in the box.Halsey went on to insist it is the type of decision which highlights referees’ lack of knowledge of the game outside the written laws.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “I thought it was a bit harsh [the Sugawara handball]. You can’t run with your arms by your side. You can’t jump with your arms by your side.”It’s come off his chest onto his arm. They’re in a natural position for that phrase of play.”That’s what I’m saying about training education with our referees about incidents like that with handball. It’s about knowing the game.”It’s all right knowing the laws of the game. It’s about knowing the game of football.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHalsey has also taken umbrage with Wilfred Ndidi only being shown a yellow card for a challenge on Cole Palmer during Leicester’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.Ndidi appeared to rake his boot down the Achilles of the England international, but avoided a straight red.Premier League referee David Coote update after statement from UEFA and revelation that referees don’t get drug testedYet Halsey saw the incident very differently, describing it as a “career-threatening challenge”.He added: “I thought it was a very, very poor challenge when I saw it again.”In real time Andy Madley hasn’t recognised the intensity of the challenge.”I was surprised when the Premier League match centre came out and said there was no intensity.”But I’ll say it again, I said it earlier, when a player lunges at an opponent in that manner, from one or two feet, from the front, from the side, from the back, it has to be sanctioned a serious foul play.”That was the worst challenge of the weekend. And I was very, very surprised that Paul Tierney, the VAR, did not recommend a review.”That was a career-threatening challenge. It’s the training and education of VAR, when to come in and when not to come in.” More

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    Bizarre moment football fans turn up to cup final with HUMAN SKULL of grandfather and say ‘we take him everywhere’

    THIS is the bizarre moment football fans brought a HUMAN SKULL along to a cup final.The Racing Club supporters sensationally claimed that the skull belonged to their grandad.A fan of Racing brought his grandfathers skull to a cup final on SaturdayAnd the deceased fan seemed to bring good luck as Racing won their first ever Copa Sudamericana – South America’s version of the Europa League.The Argentinian side beat Brazilian club Cruzeiro 3-1 on Saturday.Yet it was a moment prior to the start of the match that has everyone talking.ESPN Argentina quizzed the man and his pal as to why they had brought their macabre accessory into the stadium.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd they weren’t prepared for the answer as the fans claimed it was an actual human skull.Not only that… it belongs to their beloved grandad.The fan said: “It’s my grandfather Valentin Aguilera, a die-hard Racing fan.”Racing is my love and he is my love too, my grandfather.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I went through it with faith, dear, with the love of Racing, he enters the field alone, I take him everywhere.”And it appears this isn’t the first time that the skull has made a re-emergence for sporting glory.Former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes bizarrely holds USA vs England press conference in iconic North London pub Back in 2019, multiple reports revealed that a man named Gabriel Aranda – who bears a resemblance to the fan at the Sudamericana final – unearthed the cranium.That time, it was to commemorate when Racing won the league in the 2018-19 season.The fan told TNT Sports five years ago: “I was in the tomb and I took it out of the tomb all of the time that Racing played.”He is the lucky omen, he will be proud because I took it out.”Who are these famous footballers? More

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    Bundle-of-joy Matheus Cunha excels again ahead of favourable Gameweek 13 fixtures

    MATHEUS CUNHA (£4.8m) is a popular man here at Dream Team HQ.We’re forever singing the Wolves forward’s praises and tipping him as a smart differential option when appropriate.And it’s time to beat that drum again after a thoroughly deserved 20-point haul on Saturday.A man in formCredit: Dream TeamCunha stole the show at Fulham with an assist and two goals as Gary O’Neil’s side won 4-1 at Craven Cottage.The hosts took the lead in West London but struggled to contain Cunha’s brilliance as the game progressed.The former Atletico Madrid player displayed a Bergkamp-esque first touch to facilitate the visitors’ equaliser while his second goal came in the form of a sumptuous curled effort from 20 yards out.In between those two efforts, he found Joao Gomes (£2.8m) with a neat pass into the box for his third assist of the campaign.Truth be told, Cunha has deserved considerably more assists this season as he’s created nine big chances for his team-mates in total, a tally only bettered by four players.For comparison, Manchester City’s Savinho (£4.1m) has created the same number of big chances but has twice as many assists (six).108 Dream Team points and countingCredit: RexAfter his brace against the Cottagers, Cunha has seven goals to his name this term, putting him level with Kai Havertz (£4.5m) and Nicolas Jackson (£4m) among strikers.Most read in FootballThe 25-year-old is undoubtedly his side’s talisman and his all-round contribution to Wolves’ attacking play is reflected in his tally of eight bonus points – Son Heung-min (£5.3m) is the only player in his position above him in the metric.In fact, Cunha ranks among the top three forwards for successful dribbles, accurate crosses, interceptions, fouls won and goals scored from outside the area among – he does it all!When discussing Wolves’ brilliant No10 we are usually forced to state the caveat that his viability is limited by the schedule.He doesn’t have European commitments to bulk out his fixture list and O’Neil’s troops were eliminated from the Carabao Cup in the third round, meaning he’s confined to just league games until the top flight clubs enter the FA Cup in the new year.Generally speaking, it’s wise to target as many fixtures as possible and so it’s understandable why so many Dream Team bosses are hesitant to select Cunha over the likes of Dominic Solanke (£4.3m), Ollie Watkins (£5.3m) and Havertz.Wolves are due to face Bournemouth and Everton in Gameweek 13Credit: GettyHowever, Gameweek 13 is a double Gameweek for all 20 Premier League clubs with Wolves set to take on Bournemouth and Everton.Given that Mohamed Salah (£7.4m) and Erling Haaland (£8.6m) are the only forwards with more points than Cunha right now, the latter surely has to be considered a fantastic option ahead of two games against bottom-half opposition.A lack of European fixtures may limit him in the long run but he’s well placed to deliver plentiful returns in Gameweek 13.Cunha’s current ownership? A mere 2.4%…BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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    Former Premier League boss forced to calm raging fans down after they attacked team coach following shock cup defeat

    PORTO stars were met by furious supporters as their team coach returned to their Estadio do Dragao home last night.Vitor Bruno’s side had been in domestic cup action at Moreirense.Porto slumped to a shock cup exitCredit: GettyThey went ahead in the 35th minute via Brazilian winger Pepe.But Bruno’s men were pegged back before half-time courtesy of Luis Nlavo’s leveller.Disaster struck 13 minutes from time, when Alan converted a penalty to put Moreirense ahead.Porto had been the competition’s holders, but last night found themselves dumped out at the last 16 stage.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFollowing their 2-1 defeat, they made the 30 minute coach ride back to their Stadio do Dragao base.Waiting for them were a gaggle of furious supporters.Ultras surrounded their bus, with footage even showing an object being flung towards it.Angry supporters made X-rated hand gestures, while chanting: “Porto is ours and will remain so.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEarlier this year, former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas was elected president of his boyhood club.Amid last night’s chaos, the 47-year-old, who managed Porto to a treble back in 2011, went out to speak to supporters.Danny Namaso Loader shows off his skills as he trains at Porto Flanked by director of football Jorge Costa, Villas-Boas braved the rain to attempt to speak to furious fans.The pair were joined by a heavy security presence as they did so.Porto finished third last season, 18 points behind Ruben Amorim’s Sporting.They already trail the new Manchester United boss’ former side by six points, with Sporting having won 11 out of 11 games in the league thus far.Prior to their cup exit Porto were trounced 4-1 by Benfica, having just lost 2-1 to Lazio in the Europa League.Last night’s defeat marked Porto’s third consecutive loss in all competitions – the first time that they have endured such a streak in 16 years.READ MORE SUN STORIESPorto will be desperate to return to winning ways on Thursday night as they travel to Belgium to face Anderlecht in the Europa League.Their next home game will take place on Monday week, when they host Casa Pia at Estadio do Dragao.Andre Villas-Boas was elected club president earlier this yearCredit: Alamy More

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    Are Man City football’s biggest one-man team? Stats lay bare the misery for Pep Guardiola’s side without Rodri

    MANCHESTER CITY’S recent collapse has coincided with the absence of their key talisman.But just what do the stats say about the importance of Rodri?Rodri’s immense impact on Manchester City is undeniableCredit: GettyThe midfielder won the Ballon d’Or for his performances for club and countryCredit: GettyThe star man will miss the rest of the season after knee surgery in a massive blowCredit: ReutersPep Guardiola is trying to figure out how to win without his key manCredit: PAThe Spanish midfielder, 28, was agonisingly ruled out for the season after injuring his ACL against Arsenal in September. The damage required surgery and the lengthy recovery will keep him out of action until the 2025-26 campaign. And that means he will have to relinquish the Ballon d’Or trophy he collected in Paris last month as he was crowned the best footballer on the planet thanks to his exploits for City and Spain. Asked about being the world’s best footballer, Madrid-born Rodri told Esquire: “It’s hard to explain and when you put it in those words, it’s even more astonishing, it’s scary. I never thought about it. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”Life surprises you and it’s an example that dreams can come true.”Never looking beyond, but living day by day, trying to grow… in the end you realise that a boy like me, from a normal neighbourhood, can become the best in the world.”The midfield metronome’s spell on the sidelines is being felt harder than even the most devout Rodri fans and Pep Guardiola could have expected.City limped to a 1-1 draw with Newcastle and – after unconvincing one-goal wins against the likes of Fulham, Wolves and Southampton – have lost their last five matches in all competitions.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe nightmare run started at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Carabao Cup before Bournemouth secured a 2-1 win on the south coast.Ruben Amorim’s Sporting stuffed City 4-1 in the Champions League and then Brighton won 2-1 at the Amex.Meet Man City’s Nico O’Reilly: Rodri’s heir?Then on Saturday, Spurs thumped Guardiola’s men 4-0 in a jaw-dropping result. And that result added further clout to the reliance on Rodri’s role in the team.This season, Rodri has featured in just three matches – coming on at half-time in the 2-1 win over Brentford, the 0-0 draw with Inter Milan and then went off after 21 minutes after sustaining the horror knee injury against Arsenal. It means he has missed 16 of City’s matches this season – and they have won nine, drawn two and lost five of those at a win rate of 56 per cent.But looking back to the start of the 2022-23 Treble-winning season, when the Rodri Rolls-Royce truly started rolling at new levels, the stats laid bare make for astonishing reading. From February 12, 2023 to May 19, 2024, Rodri was unbeaten for Manchester City – a staggering 74-match streak that was finally ended by rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley.Of course, he scored some hugely important goals in that time, too – including against Bayern Munich and Inter Milan on their way to lifting the Champions League then versus West Ham on the final day of last season to clinch yet another Premier League crown. Across all competitions, Rodri has started 103 times for City in that time.Of those matches, City have won 75, drawn 23 and lost just five.They average 2.5 goals scored and 0.8 goals conceded with a win rate of 73 per cent and a loss percentage of just five.However, of the 35 matches he has not started across the same period, City have lost 11 – more than double despite a sample approximately a third of the size – as the loss rate soars to 31 per cent. The 35 matches also feature 22 wins and two draws as the win rate falls to 63 per cent.City also score fewer (2.3 goals per game) and concede more (1.2 goals per game) when Rodri does not start. And the Premier League figures within that time tell a similar story with the win rate dropping from 75 per cent to 58 per cent – while the loss rate jumps from six per cent with Rodri to 37 per cent without. The goals scored tally takes an even bigger hit, too, from 2.6 per game to just 1.8. And the points per game rate is a staggering 2.4 with Rodri and 1.8 without. All in all, the facts are clear.City suffer without Rodri and lose six times more matches when he is not in the starting XI.Guardiola is reluctant to make sweeping changes – backing up his stance with a trophy cabinet overflowing with medals. Speaking ahead of the Champions League clash with Feyenoord, he said: “What should I change? What should I change? “If I had changed in my first season when I was asked to change we would not have won six Premier Leagues in seven years.”Now I’m not going to change. We are big believers in the process and the fundamentals we have to do. “Injured players have to come back to their best form, players who have played a lot of minutes because of the injuries need rest, one good result can change our mind.”When we were winning a lot I was thinking this too shall pass and right now this too shall pass. Nothing is eternal. “What we have to do is insist. 26 [shots] is not enough? Create more, and try to concede fewer. READ MORE SUN STORIES”One day we’re going to win a game and our mind will be clear. I hope Tuesday, if not Sunday. The desire is there and we are going to try.”But with Rodri not coming back into the team anytime soon, Guardiola needs to figure out his midfield minefield – and figure it out fast – to get back to winning ways consistently before the season completely collapses. Rodri scored the winning goal in the 2023 Champions League finalCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunThe Spanish star injured his ACL against Arsenal in SeptemberCredit: ReutersCity are feeling the effects of his absenceCredit: Getty More

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    What fan ‘was REALLY arguing with Roy Keane about’ when Man Utd legend ‘offered him out in car park’

    ROY KEANE’S heated exchange with an Ipswich Town supporter was sparked by an issue that dates back over 10 years, according to a witness.The 53-year-old was filmed confronting the fan after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with the Tractor Boys at Portman Road on Sunday.Roy Keane got into an altercation with a fan following Man Utd’s 1-1 draw with IpswichIn one of the videos he could be heard saying: “I’ll wait for you in the car park.”Keane previously managed Ipswich for 21 months from 2009 to 2011 while they were in the Championship.And his behaviour during that time allegedly sparked the argument between the Irishman and a fan at the weekend.Neil Finbow, who witnessed the incident unfold by the sidelines, has suggested the supporter in question voiced his frustration over Keane’s behaviour towards his children years ago.Read More in FootballThe instigator apparently claimed that Keane had been rude and denied them autographs during his managerial tenure.Finbow told the Daily Mail: “The argument all stemmed from an issue with his children. The fan’s issue was about getting autographs back in the day when he was the manager here. The guy was basically saying Roy Keane ruled with fear. “You could see him pointing to the car park because that is where the autographs were done, and that’s where he had the issue with Roy all those years ago. So, it makes sense they were pointing over there.”He went on to say that Keane’s car park comment was likely misinterpreted, adding: “What Roy said back could have been misconstrued.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”He might have wanted to talk in the car park as that’s where it all happened.”It’s hard to tell. But yeah, he could have meant ‘I’ll talk to you in the car park,’ but it came across as if he was inviting him out [for a fight].” ‘If he wants to pay’- Roy Keane accepts Ruben Amorim’s offer to meet Man Utd legend live on TVFinbow also admitted he was surprised by the lack of security while the altercation was taking place.He continued: “There was no security or anything, which I was surprised about. Roy was directing his comments towards the fan who had the big issue because of his kids. There were a few choice words said about that.”The situation eventually calmed down before stewards told the fans to move on.Meanwhile, Keane resumed his punditry duties on the Sky Sports panel. More