Saipan incident

Saipan incident
DateMay 2002
LocationSaipan, Northern Mariana Islands
TypeIndustrial relations
CauseDifferential perspectives on FAI policy
ParticipantsRoy Keane, Mick McCarthy, Bertie Ahern
OutcomeDismissal of Roy Keane
InquiriesFAI Genesis Report
LitigationNone

The Saipan incident was a public quarrel in May 2002 between Republic of Ireland national football team's captain Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy when the team was preparing in Saipan for its matches in Japan in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. It resulted in Keane, a key player, being sent home from the squad. The incident divided public opinion in Ireland regarding who was to blame.