Roy Keane on the England players ‘punching each other’ on international break

“It’s good to have a fight with some people.”

Keane and Neville were discussing Kobbie Mainoo’s England call-up with Ian Wright and Jill Scott, on Stick to Football, when the squad dynamic was raised. “I have to say,” noted Neville, “the England dressing room, right now, look like they have a good spirit… “

At that point, Keane’s facial expression gave away that Neville was going on about a topic he loves to bring out. Sensing the mood had changed in the room, Wright joked, “Good lads!”

“Was there not players fighting, about two or three years ago, in the canteen, punching each other? Who was that? Joe Gomez and (Raheem) Sterling, yeah.

“We all have battles with people. That needs to happen, sometimes. It’s good to have a fight with some people. Let’s not make out England are all best buddies with each other, yeah. Jesus!”

Roy Keane was referring to 2019 England camp incident

The incident Roy Keane was referring to involved Joe Gomez (Liverpool) and Raheem Sterling and needed Jordan Henderson to calm matters, and prevent his former teammate from leaving international camp.

Back in 2019, Gomez and Sterling, who was with Manchester City at the time, had an altercation during an England camp. Gomez was with a group of players when Sterling entered the team canteen.

Gomez is believed to have said something which triggered Sterling to respond, “You think you’re the big man now?”

The incident was a continuation of an on-field clash, the previous day, when the players’ clubs faced off against each other in the Premier League. It was reported, at the time, that Sterling approached Gomez and put his hand around the back of his neck, sparking an angry reaction from the Liverpool defender. England teammates rushed in to break up the pair, with then Liverpool captain Henderson ‘acting as peace-maker’.

Sterling, of course, was a former Liverpool player and there was some residual, hard feelings lingering over his switch to City. The move came about in 2015 and former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said he was “disappointed” in Sterling.

Related links:

• Frank Lampard defends Rashford and young England players amid drinking controversy
• FA break silence on England shirt uproar
• England fans are convinced they will win the Euros with this team after Kobbie Mainoo’s call-up