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Why Roy Keane Completely Lost His Head During Tunnel Bust-Up With Patrick Vieira

Why Roy Keane Completely Lost His Head During Tunnel Bust-Up With Patrick Vieira

Keane explained why he confronted Vieira.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

What really happened when Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira clashed on that infamous day in North London? How did it all start?

We take a look back at one of the most iconic and heated moments in Premier League history.

Every time these giants of English football clashed, words and tackles were exchanged, especially when the two of the biggest characters in the game locked horns and began scrapping in the Highbury tunnel back in February 2005.

It gave us a unique insight into how intense this rivalry really was.

During the 2013 ITV documentary 'Keane and Vieira: The Best of Enemies', the former United midfielder mentioned that Gary Neville was the reason why it kicked off, saying:

"What really annoyed me that night was that you were picking on Gary, you were almost picking on the weakest link." he said.

"So that's what got my back up. There were two or three of you ganging up on Gary, simple as that."

Roy Keane stands dejected after the opening goal scored by Arsenal's Patrick Vieira. Image: PA
Roy Keane stands dejected after the opening goal scored by Arsenal's Patrick Vieira. Image: PA


Four years after the documentary aired, Neville himself has spoke about the incident and mentioned former Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes as the reason why Vieira mouthed off to Keane in the tunnel.

"It came out of the previous game we played at Old Trafford," he explained during an interview with Soccer AM.

"It was suggested that we were quite tough with [Jose Antonio] Reyes where he got subbed after an hour. I think I'd put a couple on him, I think Phil did and I think Scholesy did. But I got the brunt of it because I was playing against him as a direct opponent.

"I just remember hearing these footsteps behind me and Vieira shouting 'Neville, Neville... You're not going to kick our players out on this pitch today!'

"Roy obviously turned back, heard him and started having a go at him. And he sort of squirted his water bottle towards Roy. Then all hell broke loose."

Image: PA
Image: PA


So there we have it. There's more to this story than meets the eye.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Patrick Vieira, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Arsenal, Gary Neville, Roy Keane