Robbie Keane’s wife Claudine fires back at online attack of her husband

Keane’s wife labelled the comments made towards her husband as “threatening and dangerous”

Claudine Keane – wife of former Ireland captain Robbie – has slammed critics of her husband following the ex-Spurs striker’s involvement in a presentation for Republic of Ireland caps.

Former Maccabi Tel Aviv gaffer Keane was invited by the FAI to present caps to players at the team’s hotel on Monday night ahead of this evening’s Nations League fixture against Finland.

However, the ceremony was criticised when pictures were posted online, with many Irish supporters criticising the FAI for inviting Keane due to his affiliation with the Israeli club.

Keane – who netted 68 goals in 146 caps for Ireland – was manager of Maccabi when Israel launched its military offensive on Gaza and remained there until June.

Taking to X – formerly Twitter – Claudine Keane hit back at those criticising her husband.

She wrote: “I would just like to remind a certain small group of individuals my family, my children and I live Ireland, this is our home. I feel extremely uncomfortable and sometimes intimidated by some messages again from a small group that are hurtful, threatening and dangerous.

“They not only put genuinely our safety and wellbeing as a family at risk they are using a sportsperson as a political pawn and in doing so inciting hated by making absolutely outrageous accusations. I always felt safe in Ireland until now.”

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has steered clear of the controversy.

Ahead of tonight’s clash with Finland, the 57-year-old was asked if Keane’s involvement with the team shows a disconnect between players and fans, to which he replied: “I wouldn’t know. I am not the best to answer that.

“This was a cap presentation and is something from the federation. It’s not me who decides on that one.”

The former Jamaica manager did speak highly of Keane within the Irish camp, saying that he was impressed with the speech that he gave the players.

He said: “It was really a positive one, this gathering, both for the players and I think a former player presenting the caps is a good gesture.

“He had a good speech. The players were asking him questions. I think it is good to connect past players, the legends from the past to the present.

“We did the same in Jamaica, brought in old legends just to connect the past and the present. I think it was a good thing.”

Centre-back Nathan Collins also spoke highly of Keane’s involvement with the current crop of players.

The Brentford defender said: “As a kid growing up, these are the players you watch. You watch him every international camp, you watch him score his goals for Ireland.

“You can’t talk to him on a personal level back then, you can just see what he is doing on the pitch, but now you see them on a personal level, what it means to him and what his team did.

“It’s nice to know that we are in a similar boat and what we are building here is what they had as well. We can take a lot of things from what he said and use them in our team.”