Soccer pundit Mr Eamon Dunphy is due to meet RTÉ’s head of sport today despite declaring he would never again cover a World Cup tournament for the broadcaster.
After being suspended by the station for turning up unfit for work yesterday, Mr Dunphy wrote in the Starthis morning: "my message to RTÉ is exactly what I said on air a week ago. If you don't like it - get another boy".
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Mr Eamon Dunphy
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Mr Dunphy's outburst is a result of him being taken off at half-time during coverage of yesterday’s Japan v Russia match after looking less than fully fit at the outset of the game.
After responding to a question from presenter Mr Peter Collins, it became evident that Mr Dunphy had not had the requisite good night’s sleep before the game.
When the broadcast of the game returned to studio for half-time analysis, Mr Dunphy had disappeared from the panel. In a statement last night, RTÉ said they were suspending the controversial broadcaster and writer for being "unable to fulfil the terms of his contract".
Mr Dunphy later admitted to having taken drink the night before, not having any sleep and accepting RTÉ’s decision to relieve him of his duty.
"While I fully accept I was in the wrong, I am furious about how RTÉ went public about my suspension ... After working for the station for 25 years I found out what happened by switching on Six-One News," he said.
Under the headline: "I Quit", Mr Dunphy wrote in the Starthis morning that he would never cover the World Cup for RTÉ again. However, it was not clear whether he wished to continue working on the coverage of the current tournament.
If he does follow through on his threat to quit, it will be the second time he has walked out on the station. He previously quit after being lampooned by the late Dermot Morgan during a light-hearted presentation of a World Cup third place play-off in Spain.
The Today FM presenter caused controversy with his backing of Roy Keane over the Ireland captain’s sacking from the World Cup squad and by later saying on RTÉ that he wanted both Cameroon and Germany to beat Ireland. There was a question over whether he would be covering tomorrow’s crucial match with Saudi Arabia after the station received 1,300 complaints over his outburst.
Both parties are unavailable for comment but a statement is expected later today.