Celtic considering request for Keane testimonial

Celtic are considering a request to play Manchester United in a testimonial for Roy Keane on Wednesday, August 3rd.

Keane is on the verge of completing 12 seasons with the Old Trafford outfit, during which time he has won seven Premiership titles and four FA Cups.

Though he famously missed out on the 1999 Champions League final triumph over Bayern Munich through suspension, the 33-year-old has long since established himself as one of the club's all-time greats and the foremost midfield player of his generation.

Having apparently completed a U-turn over the idea of a testimonial, Celtic would be an automatic choice of opponent for Keane, who has never made any secret of his love for the Hoops, even though he grew up supporting Tottenham as a boy in Cork.

Although the United captain has not yet been granted a testimonial by the Old Trafford board, such a move is merely a formality.

The only stumbling block would appear to be at the Celtic end. Martin O'Neill's men have still to finish their Scottish Premier League campaign and should they be overhauled by Rangers in the final two games, the date pencilled in for Keane's benefit game would see them otherwise engaged in a Champions League second qualifying round tie.

Meanwhile English FA officials are currently considering whether United manager Alex Ferguson will face action after comments regarding his side's lack of penalties this season.

Ferguson was asked to explain his controversial comments following last month's Premiership victory against Newcastle, with the Scot suggesting there was a "sinister" reason behind United's lack of spot kicks.

"We have received Sir Alex Ferguson's response and we are giving it due consideration," said an FA spokesman, although it is unclear when a decision will be made over possible action.

Ferguson was angered by referee Neale Barry's failure to award a penalty at Old Trafford against Newcastle when defender Andy O'Brien appeared to haul Alan Smith to the ground during the first half of United's 2-1 win.

The United manager suggested the attitude towards his team has changed since Mike Riley awarded them a penalty against Arsenal when Wayne Rooney was tripped by Sol Campbell.

The decision was widely considered as harsh, and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored from the spot as United won 2-0, bringing an end to the Gunners' record-unbeaten run in league matches.

"It is getting ridiculous now. I am not sure if they are instructed but it is looking sinister to me," Ferguson told MUTV.

"That is the same referee (Barry) who gave Portsmouth a penalty against us for the slightest tug by Rio Ferdinand and also denied us an absolute certainty when Louis Saha was fouled at Chelsea (in the League Cup semi-final).

"Since that penalty kick against Arsenal, it seems to me we are not going to get another one, no matter what the circumstances. One of our players will need to get shot for us to get one."

The FA then wrote to the United boss, whose side have been awarded two penalties since the Arsenal game, to ask him to explain his comments.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was fined £5,000 earlier this season for suggesting to Chelsea TV that United players "cheated" during their League Cup semi-final tie at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, the FA yesterday rejected a claim for wrongful dismissal by Southampton on behalf of striker Peter Crouch.

The 24-year-old was sent off for violent conduct during Saturday's 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace after a tussle with Uruguayan defender Gonzalo Sorondo.

Crouch therefore misses Southampton's crucial final game of the Premiership season at home to Manchester United on Sunday and the first two games of the next campaign.