Robbie Keane’s wife has revealed the family feel ‘at risk’ after a slew of ‘threatening’ messages and comments regarding his management of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv last season.
Keane, wife Claudine, and their two children are living back in Ireland but the former striker was targeted after presenting the national team with their caps this week.
Last week some Maccabi fans tore down Palestine flags and chanted anti-Arab slogans on a visit to Amsterdam – before hundreds of their own supporters were ambushed and attacked in the streets after the Europa League match against Ajax.
The violence, condemned by Dutch and Israeli officials as anti-Semitic, has seen at least 67 people arrested and Israel sent six rescue planes to evacuate fans.
It inflamed a toxic response on social media and Keane, who left Maccabi in June amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, was branded a ‘****’, ‘blood money Robbie’, and a ‘Zionist ****bag’ online as he presented Ireland’s stars with their caps.
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 would just like to remind a certain small group of individuals my family, my children and I live Ireland, this is our home,’ Claudine Keane wrote on X.
‘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 well-being 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.
‘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
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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.’
