Keane refuses to apologise as Robertson tells him 'big baby' jibe went one too far

Roy Keane has declined to apologise to Andy Robertson for branding him a “big baby” on live television, more than two years after the former Liverpool left-back was elbowed in the throat by assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in April 2023.

The pair addressed the incident together on the latest episode of The Overlap, with Keane offering an explanation rather than a retraction. “Players have to remember, and this is not an apology, when in the studio, we can have long days can’t we?” Keane said. “Can be a bit flat, a player can do something and you’re agitated by like a long day.”

Robertson, who appeared alongside Keane and Jamie Carragher, took the exchange in good humour while making clear Keane had overstepped. “The first two babys were alright,” Robertson joked, “the third was one too far.”

Keane doubled down with characteristic self-awareness, explaining that the pressure of filling dead air in the studio had pushed him to repeat the word. “They’re all staring at me like, ‘f** say something’. Am I right?” he said. “That’s why I said the last ‘baby’.”

Robertson also took a light dig at Carragher, who had laughed at Keane’s original comments. “I wasn’t happy with you laughing either, by the way,” he told his former Liverpool teammate.

The original incident had caused significant controversy. Robertson was visibly furious after Hatzidakis appeared to swing an elbow at him at half-time, but Keane showed little sympathy at the time, arguing the defender should focus on his own performance. “He’s a big baby. That’s what he is. Just get on with the game and concentrate on your defending,” Keane said in 2023.

Hatzidakis was not formally punished by the PGMOL for the incident, though he did not officiate another Liverpool match until January 2025, when he ran the line for the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham.

Robertson himself is now at Spurs, having left Liverpool on a free transfer after nine years at Anfield. His start at the club has been difficult, with Roberto De Zerbi’s side yet to win any of their opening five Premier League matches this season.