Warner

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC):

REGIONAL FOOTBALL mogul Jack Warner has fired back at Sunderland manager Roy Keane, as the war of words between the two escalated on Friday.

Warner again called the former Irish international "disrespectful", reiterating he had little respect for "small" countries and accusing him of abandoning his national duty and walking out on Ireland.

The FIFA vice-president's comments came after Keane on Thursday called him a "clown" and a "disgrace" over the way he had handled the Dwight Yorke issue.

World Cup qualifier

Keane had recalled Yorke to Sunderland, causing him to miss Trinidad and Tobago's CONCACAF 2010 World Cup qualifier against the United States in Chicago on Wednesday night.

The move had evoked a incendiary response from Warner who said Keane's actions would not endear him or Sunderland to football fans in smaller countries.

"The disrespectful tone of your reported comments in the press further demonstrates the total disrespect that you and others of your ilk have generally for players and officials from small countries," said Warner in a new letter to Keane.

vice president

"It is obviously difficult for you to accept the fact that someone from a small country could rise to become a vice president of FIFA."

Warner, a special advisor to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, also lashed out at Keane's commitment to Northern Ireland during his playing days.

"A player's greatest honour is to represent his country in spite of the fact that you chose to walk away from yours during the 2002 World Cup after publicly abusing your manager, an indictment that you will no doubt be proud of up to today. Poor Sunderland," the CONCACAF boss said.

too much

Keane said the reason he recalled Yorke to Sunderland was because he believed that playing two internationals in five days would have been too much for the 36-year-old.

The former Manchester United star also pointed out that Yorke was supposed to have retired from international football and was yet to play a game for Sunderland in the new English Premiership season.

He said he had indicated as much to Trinidadian officials but though disappointed at Warner's response, was not surprised.

Keane is not expected to make further comment on the issue.