Keane and Haaland have had a fierce war of words

Manchester City have decided not to pursue any legal action over Roy Keane's horror tackle on Alfie Haaland.

Keane sparked furious controversy when he claimed in his autobiography that he meant to harm Haaland during the Manchester derby of 2001.

The midfielder was handed a five-match ban and a fine by the Football Association and Man City vowed to take the matter further.

But City said on Thursday that the club was no longer prepared to bring a case against Keane.

"The necessary medical and consequential legal advice has been received and carefully reviewed," said a Man City statement.

Alfie Haaland is continuing to take legal advice on his claim Man City statement

"The conclusion is that it would be difficult for Manchester City to take action on medical grounds.

"For this reason, Manchester City will not be pursuing any legal action arising out of the tackle on the 21st of April 2001.

Injured party Haaland may still elect to sue, however.

"Alfie Haaland is continuing to take legal advice on his claim in view of the differing issues and burden of proof," said the statement.

"Manchester City emphasise their disappointment at the sentiments expressed by Roy Keane regarding Alfie Haaland in his autobiography."

I'd waited long enough - I hit him [Haaland] hard Keane's autobiography

In his book, Keane indicated that his knee-high tackle was motivated by revenge, after he had spent a year on the sidelines recovering from an injury suffered while he tried to trip Haaland in a previous match.

"I'd waited almost 180 minutes for Alfie," Keane said. "I'd waited long enough. I hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that."

The comments raised the ire of the FA, which subsequently banned Keane and fined the 31-year-old a record �150,000.