Robbie Keane’s wife says her family don’t feel safe living in Ireland any more after being sent ‘threatening and dangerous’ messages from pro-Palestinian activists over his decision to manage Israeli football team
Claudine Keane said the safety and wellbeing of her family have been jeopardised after her husband Robbie, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Republic of Ireland footballer, became a ‘political pawn’ over his stewardship of an Israeli club.
Keane, who managed Maccabi Tel Aviv for a season before stepping down this summer, drew criticism after declining to leave the job following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The former Republic of Ireland captain’s status as the country’s record goalscorer has done nothing to shield him from ‘hurtful, threatening and dangerous’ messages, said his wife, who claimed the ‘outrageous accusations’ levelled against Keane have ‘incited hatred’.
‘I would just like to remind a certain small group of individuals my family, my children and I live in Ireland, this is our home,’ Claudine Keane wrote on social media.
‘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 hatred by making absolutely outrageous accusations.
Claudine, Robbie Keane’s wife, has said their family feel ‘at risk’ after ‘threatening’ messages
Keane has been targeted with abusive comments this week after handing Republic of Ireland stars their caps – on the back of managing Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv last season
Claudine says they feel ‘intimidates’ by people who are ‘inciting hatred’ against her husband
‘I always felt safe in Ireland until now. I always wanted to move home, bring my kids up here and enjoy the Ireland that both me and my husband love.
‘They are taking every bit of enjoyment and safety away from me and my family. We love our country, we are not politicians, we have never done any wrong.’
Keane won the Israeli Premier League and Toto Cup (equivalent to League Cup) in his only season in Tel Aviv. He also led them to the last 16 of the Europa Conference League, the furthest Maccabi had been in continental competition. Keane joined on June 26 2023 and left on June 7 this year.
He had to flee Israel after the October 7 massacre and evacuated Israel via Greece. Tel-Aviv was one of the cities which was hit with rocket attacks that month as part of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Keane and his staff worked remotely while the Israeli league was suspended before returning at the start of December.
Keane has received plenty of abuse on social media this week – in the wake of Maccabi fans tearing down Palestine flags and being attacked en masse in Amsterdam
Keane won the Israeli Premier League title and Toto Cup with Maccabi before leaving in June
Following a single season in charge, Keane requested that his option to extend his deal for a second year was not exercised.
‘It has been a tough decision for me to leave Maccabi Tel Aviv FC,’ Keane said in a statement in June. ‘I would like to thank the owner, all the players, coaches and the fans for making this an unforgettable season.
‘I am very proud of everything we have achieved together as a team and most proud of the hard work and dedication which resulted in winning the Championship and Toto Cup.
‘Wishing everyone involved at the club all the best for the Champions League and season ahead.’
