Keane reignites Haaland feud with savage 'drinking' observation

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FT Desk

Roy Keane and Alf-Inge Haaland's fierce rivalry has been reignited during the 2026 World Cup.

Over the years, the pair have exchanged barbs about their respective careers.

The feud between Keane and Haaland, the father of Manchester City and Norway superstar Erling Haaland, dates back to a Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United in 1997 when the Irishman suffered a serious ACL injury after an awkward challenge. As he lay on the pitch injured, Haaland accused him of faking it to win a free-kick.

Keane was furious and later admitted he never forgot the incident.

Four years later, with Haaland playing for Manchester City, Keane got what he saw as his chance for revenge. During a Manchester derby at Old Trafford in 2001, he launched a knee-high challenge into Haaland and was immediately sent off.

The incident became even more controversial when Keane revealed in his autobiography that the tackle had been premeditated and motivated by what had happened in 1997.

"It that sour grapes?" 🤔

Alf-Inge Haaland believes the officials played a big part in Norway's exit. Fair or unfair? ⚖️ pic.twitter.com/qzYpshOWw0

— The Overlap (@WeAreTheOverlap) July 12, 2026

His admission led to a £150,000 fine and a five-match ban from the Football Association.

As the years progressed, the relationship only soured further, particularly when Keane, acting in his role as a pundit, had any words of criticism for Erling.

This became extremely personal this week following England's progression to the World Cup semi-final after defeating Norway 201 in extra time, with Jude Bellingham scoring boh goals.

The Norwegians felt they had been harshly treated by the officials, especially after a goal was ruled out for a foul by Erling on Elliott Anderson, and after the match, Alfe-Inge posted on X, congratulating "Bellingham and the referee."

Keane, reacting to the post, suggested Alfe-Inge's memory of the match was hazy due to drinking alcohol during.

"He always seems to be drinking alcohol at the matches," Keane said on the Stick to Football podcast.

"If you're having a drink then you're seeing the game differently."

Alfe-Inge didn't take too kindly to that either, as he responded to a video of Keane with the message:

"Once a p***k always a p***k."

In Keane's opinion, Norway don't have the right to feel aggrieved despite being on the wrong side of a couple of decisions on the night.

"Listen, I'll always be trying to go the other way (against England) a little bit, if it's 50-50, but the push is a push and then he heads it, so there you go," he said.

"Families and fans after games, we saw the interviews with the England manager, Bellingham, family members, they're all a bit emotional so you try and give them the benefit of the doubt.

"But when people wake up tomorrow morning, you won't be sitting there going, 'The referee's cost us'. You can't. You can argue a couple of decisions but you can't say, 'He's cost us'. No."

England face old rivals Argentina in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday evening.