Fine Gael Senator Micheál Carrigy has issued an apology to Robbie Keane after comments he made regarding the Irish legend's FAI salary.
Mr Keane is still under contract from the FAI after signing on when named as part of Mick McCarthy's back room team but was subsequently not seen as part of new boss Stephen Kenny's plans when he took over.
It is understood that Mr Keane and his team took issue with remarks about how his salary was being funded.
But in a statement on Thursday, Mr Carrigy issued an apology to the Irish legend.
It reads: “On Thursday (24th March), I issued a press release about Robbie Keane.
“I’ve since learned that the information contained in this release was inaccurate and false in a number of respects and was unfair. “As a result, I have withdrawn the press release and apologise to Robbie for any damage caused.”
The Republic of Ireland's all-time leading goalscorer has continued to receive a salary from the FAI despite leaving the international coaching setup when Mick McCarthy stepped down as manager in April 2020.
Keane was stood down from his assistant role when Stephen Kenny came into the job and opted to bring in his own backroom team, but the former striker's contract with the association does not expire until this summer and the FAI have continued to pay Keane's salary in full.
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