Roy Keane interviewed for alleged road rage incident

Republic of Ireland assistant manager questioned after alleged taxi driver altercation

The Greater Manchester Police has confirmed that Roy Keane was interviewed following a reported altercation with a taxi driver in Altrincham town centre in Manchester in January which led to police being called. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane has been interviewed under caution in Manchester following an alleged road rage incident involving the former footballer.

The Greater Manchester Police has confirmed the 43-year-old was interviewed following a reported altercation with a taxi driver in Altrincham town centre in Manchester in January, which led to police being called.

The taxi driver reported the incident to Greater Manchester Police, claiming that Keane got out of his car at traffic lights and shouted abuse at him and his passenger after they recognised the Irish man and told him to “smile”.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, taxi driver Fateh Kerar admitted he was left “shaken and terrified” by the alleged incident.

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Keane's car was stopped when both the driver of the taxi and his passenger recognised the former Manchester United star and allegedly tried to speak to him.

“We were both saying ‘that’s Roy Keane’ but he was just glaring back at us, looking really angry,” Fateh Kerar said. “I said ‘hello’ to him, then said ‘smile’.”

“He drove behind us going into Altrincham and as we got to the traffic lights, he stopped beside us and turned to us still looking really angry. He got out of his car in the middle of the road, held two fingers up and walked out in front of me. He was pointing and swearing and being very aggressive.”

His passenger, Hothan Isman, said Mr Kerar was visibly shaken.

Following the incident, Greater Manchester Police confirmed they would investigate the matter.

“At 11.30am this morning, Friday 30th January 2015, police were called to Ashley Road, Altrincham to a report that a man had behaved aggressively towards another man,” said a spokeswoman for the force. “An investigation is under way to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak is an Irish Times reporter specialising in immigration issues and cohost of the In the News podcast