THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND last night said it was “surprised” by Aston Villa’s claims that Richard Dunne did not receive proper medical treatment while at Euro 2012.
The Republic of Ireland defender was ruled out of action for six to eight weeks yesterday after undergoing a procedure on a groin injury.
Not only will Dunne miss the opening weeks of the Premier League season but he is now also a major doubt for Ireland’s first World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan on 7 September.
The injury was ”sustained and was not dealt with during the European Championships,” an update from the Birmingham club said yesterday, a suggestion which was rubbished by the FAI.
“Richard Dunne received the highest level of medical care during his time with the Republic of Ireland team,” an FAI statement read.
“All of the medical treatment he received was carried out in full and regular contact, and with the full consent and agreement of, the Aston Villa medical team and so we are very surprised by these suggestions.”
Dunne is one of a handful of senior Irish stars who considering their international future following the disappointing Euro 2012 campaign.
“Yes, it has crossed my mind a few times,” the 32-year-old said last week. “It’s easy after a tournament, the way it has gone, to make a rash decision and say ‘that’s it’.
“I’ve already spent four weeks thinking about it and still can’t decide.”
