Kevin Palmer: Roy Keane's view on his infamous tackle highlights how his boundaries have always been a little different

"It's not as bad as everyone thinks it is. There's a difference between hurting somebody and injuring somebody. Big difference. That's my argument."

"The words of Roy Keane when asked to reflect on what was arguably the most infamous moment of his explosive career told us much about the mindset of a man who is still openly triggered by the hatred that inspired him to clatter into Alf-Inge Haaland back in 2001."

Roy Keane draws a clear distinction between hurting and injuring, using that distinction to downplay the severity of his 2001 tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland. Keane identifies lingering hatred as the motivating emotion that led to the deliberate, forceful challenge. The incident is framed as an infamous, retaliatory moment within a combative career, and Keane remains openly affected by the emotions behind the act. The rationale emphasizes intent and emotional provocation, suggesting that perceived moral culpability changes depending on whether harm was intended to injure or merely to hurt.

Read at Independent