Shock over Keane's outburst

Players backed the manager's stance over Keane

BBC Sport Online reviews the reaction to Roy Keane's dismissal from the Republic of Ireland's World Cup squad.

New captain Steve Staunton
"It was unacceptable and I'm not going to say anything different to what's been said.

"I've never witnessed anything like it in my life and there is a line, you can't cross it and unfortunately Roy has crossed it."

Niall Quinn
"I've known Roy a long time and this is astonishing - there is no doubt about that.

"Roy has said that a lot of players weren't brave enough to go to the papers and say it.

"We all say that the pitch is crap when it is, wherever we've gone around the world, but I don't think it is brave running to the papers and talking about it.

"Some people call it bravery, other people call it disruptiveness."

Houghton defends Keane

Goalkeeper Alan Kelly
"We are 110% in support of Mick. Roy has let himself down with the things he has said.

Quinn was "astonished" by Keane's behaviour

"Sometimes you have arguments in football and I had one with Roy the other day but there's a line you cannot walk over and that line was breached by Roy today and that's why I'm here to show my support for Mick.

"I was shocked by the things Roy said, I'm not going to lie to you and with someone like Mick and the things he's done it wasn't right to say those things.

"I think most of the players in the room were shocked by it."

Former Ireland manager Jack Charlton
"I think when Roy sits down and thinks about what he's done he will have a few regrets.

"You don't walk out on a World Cup. He's one of the best players in the world and he should be at the finals.

"He had his complaints about their preparations but that has nothing to do with the players."

FAI president Milo Corcoran
"I'm surprised that this action has been taken but Mick looks after the team affairs so there is no problem and he has our full support."

Keane's behaviour: right or wrong?

Former Ireland international Frank Stapleton
"There has obviously been a major disagreement and if Roy was beginning to criticise everything he (McCarthy) did then he had to do something.

"You must remember that no one player is bigger than a team. In the end the good of the team is more important than one individual."

Former Ireland international Kevin Sheedy
"Roy is Ireland's best player, he is a world-class player and to lose him so close to the tournament is a big blow.

"When you are away from home you are going there to prepare properly for the World Cup and you would want the training ground facilities to be as good as they can be."