Alan Kelly disliked his name ‘dragged through the mud’ over video controversy

Republic of Ireland goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly has issued a forceful statement criticizing the “narrative and hint created in the media” that his absence from the national camp this week was somehow linked to a controversial video. shown before the international friendly against England.

Kelly was not in Dublin for this week’s UEFA Nations League camp and the game against Bulgaria after returning home for personal reasons.

Kelly suffers from asthma and said “I had to make this decision with my own health in mind.”

However, Kelly is now “furious and disgusted” that some media outlets have suggested that “this decision is somehow related to stories leaked to the press outside OUR dressing room.”

It is understood that the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) will seek input from Kelly and Captain Séamus Coleman on a controversial video and speech that manager Stephen Kenny presented inside the Wembley Stadium dressing room.

Discomfort

While the video itself, which primarily shows previous goals against England and references to the 1916 Easter Rising, was not deemed inappropriate, some elements of his subsequent 15-minute speech caused upset among some within the group of 40 players and staff.

This afternoon, Kelly criticized suggestions that she “danced with the media” in the wake of the incident.

In a forceful statement, Kelly said: “I recently made the difficult decision to put my health first and football second while still working, traveling, eating and sleeping in camp with the Republic of Ireland national team during the recent international stoppage.

“Covid-19 was present at the camp and continued to spread from person to person during this period.

Now I am absolutely furious and disgusted with the narrative and innuendo.

“I made the decision to ‘skip’ in the last game because the risk was getting too high for me as an asthmatic.

“Now I am absolutely furious and disgusted with the narrative and hints being created in the media that this decision is somehow related to stories leaked to the press outside of OUR dressing room.

“I can say with 100% certainty that I have never danced in front of the media in 35 years as a player or coach, and I have been in some pretty cool locker rooms.

“This narrative is totally and totally wrong and it should raise the question: who is spreading and benefiting from this?

“What I can say is that it’s not me.

“I have been a loyal servant of Irish football for over 30 years and now to find my name and reputation crawling through the mud is shameful.

“Enough is enough.”