Former Ireland player Jason McAteer has said people are going to have to 'make up their own mind' about the infamous Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane incident in Saipan.
A new film about the debacle at 2022 World Cup is being made with Steve Coogan and Éanna Hardwicke set to star in the title roles.
The pair’s bitter feud over Ireland’s preparation for the tournament saw Keane - then among the world’s best players - returning home to Ireland and missing the tournament in one of the darkest moments in Irish sporting history.
Ireland played on without their captain, losing on penalties to Spain.
Keane would not play for his country again until 2004 after McCarthy had stepped down as manager.
McAteer told The Hard Shoulder the situation is "crazy".
"I was in Qatar working on the Euros and I'm friends with Laurence Kinlan from Love/Hate and he text me and said, 'They're making a film about Saipan - do you think this guy could play you?'" he said.
"It was an actor with blonde hair and blue eyes; probably the opposite of how I look to be honest.
"I recognised him from a couple of films and I text back, 'Is Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise not available?'"
'I've just auditioned to play you'
McAteer said he was in England a few days later visiting a friend when fate stepped in.
"When I went to see him I held the door open for this guy who was coming out of his office and he went to me, 'I've just auditioned to play you in a film yesterday'" he said.
"He said, 'I don't think I'm going to get the part' and I said, 'To be honest mate, I know who's getting the part'.
"Over the last couple of weeks things have obviously progressed with [the film].
"Although I am surprised that no one's been contacted, any of the players, because no one knew about it - I didn't know about it until two weeks ago."
'We've never forgotten'
McAteer said it'll be interesting to see how the story is told.
"It was such a controversial moment and one we've obviously never forgotten," he said.
"I'm sure the truth will be embellished along the way but I'm just be intrigued to know if it's going to be a real drama or more Mike Bassett kind of comedy?
"I've no idea how they're going to stretch out a 15-minute meeting, argument - whatever you want to call it - into a blockbuster movie."
Roy Keane exercises during a training session with the Republic of Ireland in Saipan, 22-5-02. Image: Contributor: PA Images / AlamyMcAteer said people will ultimately have to decide where the truth lies.
"Somewhere along the line the truth is going to be put out there and people are going to have to make up their own mind, their own judgement on what they think about the situation," he said.
"It's been well-documented anyway and it still splits the camp to this day.
"I've no idea how much poetic licence is going to be allowed to be honest".
McAteer said the squad "made for good media" as they didn't all get on "but we were accessible and those stories were accessible."
"A lot now doesn't get out because they don't do anything - footballers actually don't do anything.
"You might see them in a restaurant now and again but you never mix with them really but you did with us," he added.
Saipan will be directed by Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’Sa — the duo behind the 2013 Irish comedy-drama Good Vibrations and the 2019 romance Ordinary Love.
Listen back here:
