A review of the Roy Keane affair, which resulted in the Republic of Ireland football captain being sent home from last month's World Cup, is to begin on Friday.

The Football Association of Ireland is to review a number of elements that led to the row between Keane and team manager Mick McCarthy at their training base on the Pacific Ocean island, Saipan.

Keane was sent home from the tournament for abusing and criticising the manager in front of other players.

His anger was sparked by what he called the inadequate training facilities.

Roy Keane: No regrets at leaving the tournament

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, the FAI's honorary treasurer John Delaney rejected suggestions that the association had let the country down.

"I don't think we let the team down and I don't think we let the supporters down," he said.

Divided nation

"The purpose of the review is for us to look at how we as an association should resource ourselves going forward.

"How, when we go to Russia in September and how if we qualify for Portugal in 2004, and what kind of resources that we put behind the international team."

Mick McCarthy: Sent Keane home after row

The row divided the country and led to the Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, offering to intervene in order to persuade Keane to rejoin the team.

The Manchester United star insisted he had no regrets after he flew home while the team progressed to the last 16 of the competition.

Despite the absence of the former captain, Ireland impressed many with their performance and many of the players have become the focus of interest of top football teams throughout Europe.

The FAI said an apology to the manager would have left the door open for Keane to return to the tournament.

However, he refused, saying he believed he had been backed into a corner.