Robbie Keane’s wife hits out at ‘hurtful, threatening and dangerous’ comments

Robbie Keane’s wife has accused critics of her husband of “using a sportsperson as a political pawn” and “inciting hatred” amid a row over an invitation to present Republic of Ireland caps.

The Football Association of Ireland asked former Maccabi Tel Aviv manager Keane to carry out a ceremony at the team hotel on Monday evening ahead of Thursday night’s Nations League fixture against Finland, but social media posts about the event prompted criticism in return.

Keane was in charge at Maccabi when Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza and remained so until June this year, when he stepped down having led the club to the league title.

Responding to unfavourable comments on her X account, Keane’s wife Claudine wrote: “I would just like to remind a certain small group of individuals my family, my children and I live Ireland, this is our home.

Great to have Ireland’s record goalscorer Robbie Keane in camp last night for our annual caps presentation