A former leading figure in Sinn Fein and ex-League of Ireland football chairman has offered to back Belfast side Linfield in any libel action against Roy Keane.
Linfield, which is supported mainly by Ulster Protestants, is furious over claims by the Manchester United star that they did not sign a Catholic until shortly before the 1993 World Cup qualifier between the Republic and Northern Ireland.
But Phil Flynn, who was chairman of Dundalk Football Club until three years ago, told The Observer that he is prepared to stand up in court and defend Linfield against Keane's charges of religious bigotry.
Flynn, who resigned from Sinn Fein's National Executive in the early 1980s, denounced Keane's claim in his controversial autobiography as 'unfair and inaccurate criticisms'.
Keane says in the book: 'For the first time in its history, Linfield signed a Catholic, a decision that caused much controversy. The player - who was also black, another major problem for Linfield's bigoted supporters - didn't last long (nor did the manager who signed him).'
However Flynn, who co-founded a cross-border anti-sectarian soccer initiative with Linfield several years ago, said Keane's claims had to be challenged. Asked if he would give evidence in Linfield's favour, Flynn said: 'Absolutely, there is no question about that. I have a very high regard for the administrators and the fans at Linfield and the truth is the truth: the club has made enormous efforts to build bridges.'
Flynn helped create 'Dunfield', a project bringing together children from Belfast and Dundalk, under the banner of the two clubs. The Dunfield project has won awards for its anti-sectarian initiatives.
'Linfield, along with Dundalk, have brought together hundreds of Catholic and Protestant kids at junior level. Unfortunately all the good work being done by clubs like Linfield and Dundalk could be undermined by what Keane says in the book.'
Other figures in the League of Ireland - even those who played for Linfield's rivals, Glentoran - have swung behind the Belfast club. Harry McCue, now the manager of Drogheda United, played for Glentoran during the 1980s. He said that while he 'took plenty of stick' from Linfield fans, club officials treated him with courtesy.
'I think it's unfortunate that Roy dwells on the past because, from my time on, Linfield were trying very hard to move forward.'
Linfield chairman Billy McCoubrey described Keane's allegations as 'outrageous and unfounded', pointing out that the club had Catholic players as far back as the 1940s and 1950s.
He said that the black player Keane mentions - Tony Coly - had been treated 'like an idol'. McCoubrey said Coly had actually been signed in 1988 - five years before the game Keane refers to.
'The senior officers at the club will look through the text and hand it on to our legal advisers,' he added.
The former Linfield manager who signed Coly, Roy Coyle, has already consulted his lawyers.
Keane is due in Northern Ireland tomorrow to promote his autobiography at Easons' store in central Belfast.
