FAI DENY RICE ROW CLAIMS
THE FAI has emphatically rejected any suggestion that Declan Rice may have had a falling out with a member of Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill’s backroom team.
Sportsmail understands that an issue developed between Rice and a senior figure at the team hotel in Dublin prior to the summer internationals against France and the USA.
It’s believed that words were exchanged after Rice attempted to act as peacemaker during an argument between a number of players and a member of staff.
The FAI, however, is adamant there was no disagreement between Rice and any member of O’Neill’s staff.
London-born Rice (right), who went on to play in both games and was outstanding in a holding midfielder role, qualifies for Ireland through his father’s late parents, who were from Douglas in Cork
He was pencilled in by O’Neill to start against Wales in the Nations League, which would have tied him to Ireland, when he dropped a bombshell and asked not to be selected.
However, he stunned the Ireland manager by saying he needed more time to decide on his international future despite also playing for Ireland at various underage levels from the age of 16.
Rice’s rebuff has prompted speculation the player may be open to overtures on behalf of England manager Gareth Southgate — Rice remains eligible for England — or perhaps has held fire on declaring for Ireland after a change of agent in the summer.
Behind the scenes, O’Neill is desperate to convince him to formally come on board, as soon as possible and the lines of communication are open, it is understood. The manager has invested hugely in him, and has met his father Sean. He also went to the family home in London this summer.
Rice qualifies for Ireland through his father’s late parents, who were from Douglas in Cork.
Southgate has confirmed he is tracking the progress of Rice and is actively keen to keep all players of dual eligibility inside the England net, as he is entitled too.
‘There are so many dual nationality players and he (Rice) is a good young player. He has a really difficult decision,’ said Southgate at his first post-World Cup press briefing this week.
‘There is a lot of pressure on him and I am conscious there is spotlight on him. He is with Ireland at the moment and as much as we think he is a very good player, that decision has to fall to him.’
O’Neill has been unable to explain the specific cause of Rice’s unexpected change of heart, which has left Ireland a key player down before the return to Cardiff on Thursday. although the manager did reveal there had been an ‘altercation’ between Roy Keane and two players, Jon Walters and Harry Arter.