ROY KEANE is facing a ban for admitting he deliberately fouled Alf-Inge Haaland.
The FA will charge Keane with misconduct as soon as the player's controversial autobiography goes on sale in a fortnight.
And, in a bid to send out a strong message to the rest of football, they intend to impose a ban on Manchester United's captain rather than a fine.
Keane could be out for around four games to match the original punishment for the challenge.
He was given a three-match ban for violent conduct for the foul on Haaland, in April 2001, and he landed a further one-game ban as it was his second red card of the season.
While the foul itself cannot be dealt with again, the FA take a dim view of what they see as glorifying the incident in his book.
They are also unhappy the publicity will help sales of the autobiography.
The FA are waiting to charge Keane only because they have not seen the article themselves and have had to rely on the serialisation. But, as long as what they have already read is there, the player will be charged and a date fixed for the case to be heard.
The offending phrase referring to his deliberate challenge on Manchester City's captain reads: "I waited...I f****** hit him hard. Take that, you c***."
The FA are already under pressure from Manchester City, who wrote to ask the FA why Keane had not been given a heavier punishment for the challenge.
City and Haaland are also pushing ahead with legal action against Keane and United for the foul because of Keane's admission.
Meanwhile, Sunderland midfielder Jason McAteer has taken over Keane's role as Ireland skipper for his 50th cap in the friendly against Finland in Helsinki tonight.
The FA will charge Keane with misconduct as soon as the player's controversial autobiography goes on sale in a fortnight.
And, in a bid to send out a strong message to the rest of football, they intend to impose a ban on Manchester United's captain rather than a fine.
Keane could be out for around four games to match the original punishment for the challenge.
He was given a three-match ban for violent conduct for the foul on Haaland, in April 2001, and he landed a further one-game ban as it was his second red card of the season.
While the foul itself cannot be dealt with again, the FA take a dim view of what they see as glorifying the incident in his book.
They are also unhappy the publicity will help sales of the autobiography.
The FA are waiting to charge Keane only because they have not seen the article themselves and have had to rely on the serialisation. But, as long as what they have already read is there, the player will be charged and a date fixed for the case to be heard.
The offending phrase referring to his deliberate challenge on Manchester City's captain reads: "I waited...I f****** hit him hard. Take that, you c***."
The FA are already under pressure from Manchester City, who wrote to ask the FA why Keane had not been given a heavier punishment for the challenge.
City and Haaland are also pushing ahead with legal action against Keane and United for the foul because of Keane's admission.
Meanwhile, Sunderland midfielder Jason McAteer has taken over Keane's role as Ireland skipper for his 50th cap in the friendly against Finland in Helsinki tonight.