Roy Keane criticises Phil Foden for post-derby gesture
Roy Keane has absolutely torn into Phil Foden for goading Manchester United supporters outside Old Trafford after Sunday’s derby, despite having been sent off during the match itself, reports BritPanorama.
Footage emerged on social media showing the Manchester City midfielder flashing a 1-0 gesture with his fingers at United fans as he made his way to the team bus following City’s victory.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, the former United captain made his feelings crystal clear. “Did you see him the other day walking onto the bus (after the game)? He’s holding his fingers up showing 1-0 to the United fans,” Keane said.
His verdict was blunt: “You’ve just been sent off, what are you doing? Get on the bus.”
Keane’s fury is made more striking by the fact that he had initially defended Foden immediately after the match. The 26-year-old was dismissed by referee Michael Oliver in the first half after reacting to a sly kick from Bruno Fernandes by pushing his legs back into the United captain’s stomach. It was deemed violent conduct.
Keane reckoned the wrong man walked. Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “He (Fernandes) goes and tackles him, gives him a little boot on the floor, he does react obviously. The strange thing is… I’m guessing it’s classed as violent. To me, Bruno is the one who is violent.” He added: “Foden is daft, but so is Bruno. Bruno has to do better there. Foden, I don’t think it’s a red card.”
Jill Scott, a fellow pundit on the podcast, leapt to Foden’s defence, pointing out that the City star was subjected to plenty of ridicule from the home crowd. “But he’s getting s*** isn’t he? You do react,” she said. Keane remained unconvinced, although Scott argued that Foden’s deep-rooted allegiance to City influenced his behaviour. “You do react and he is a big City fan. I think he’s being a fan as he’s walking through there,” she concluded.
Beyond Keane, other pundits weighed in on the red card controversy. Alan Shearer was particularly scathing about Fernandes’s role, stating on The Rest Is Football: “I thought the way Bruno Fernandes went down was pathetic. He helped get Foden off.” Shearer argued that either both players deserved to be dismissed or neither should have been. “If Phil Foden reacts in the same way as Bruno Fernandes did, then both get red cards,” he said.
Former City defender Micah Richards echoed that view, noting that Foden’s failure to make a meal of Fernandes’s initial kick ultimately cost him. “If Foden starts screaming, the decision is reversed,” Richards suggested.
Regardless of the debate, Foden now faces a three-match ban that will see him sit out fixtures against Norwich, Sunderland and Liverpool.
