Roy Keane and Graeme Souness stirred an entertaining debate throughout halftime of Argentina’s opening World Cup match towards Saudi Arabia.
While discussing the sport on ITV, the players-turned-analysts clashed after Argentina obtained an early penalty when midfielder Leandro Paredes appeared to get pulled to the bottom by Saudi Arabia’s Mohamed Kanno.
Keane stated he didn’t consider it was a penalty earlier than ITV host Laura Woods signalled a replay of the incident.
Watch the world’s greatest footballers each week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE protection from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Saudi double SHOCKS THE WORLD! | 01:02
Souness then chimed in, “He’s [the defender] not watching on the ball, Laura.”
Woods then defined, “The motive for giving it is because the referees and officers have been requested to look out for blocking and holding with out trying on the ball, no intention of enjoying the ball. Is that what we see right here Graeme?”
“Definitely,” Souness replied. “He doesn’t know the place the ball is and he’s solely within the Argentinian participant. He doesn’t know when it’s been kicked, he’s not trying and I feel that could be a penalty for me.”
Keane confidently disagreed.
“No no no,” he stated. “All this may do is encourage diving. He’s [Paredes] dragging him [the defender] down.”
Souness then fired again, stating Keane wasn’t listening to what Woods was saying.
Graeme Souness tried to place Roy Keane in his place. It didn’t work.Source: Supplied
“This is a directive from referees this isn’t about opinion this can be a truth. The man wasn’t trying on the ball,” Souness remarked, to which a seemingly pissed off Keane responded, “I heard precisely what she stated… I’m right here to offer my opinion. That’s not a penalty.”
The pundits continued to commute, reducing each other off.
Souness argued, “This is just not about our opinions. It’s in regards to the legal guidelines of the sport. The interpretation of the brand new regulation is should you’re not trying on the ball it’s a penalty.”
Keane wouldn’t again down from his stance, repeatedly saying that he was rightfully stating his opinion.
“I’m right here to offer my opinion that’s not my penalty I’ll say it once more — that’s my opinion,” he stated. “That’s my opinion. I’m right here to offer my opinion that’s not a penalty.”
Souness then dismissed Keane’s stance altogether and suggested him to cease speaking.
“I’ve heard you say it 10 occasions, let another person converse. You’ll be taught much more should you pay attention relatively than speak on a regular basis.”
Argentina later misplaced to Saudi Arabia, 2-1.
This story initially appeared on the New York Post.
