absence. Aftermath Despite the efforts of the media and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Keane and McCarthy failed to resolve the conflict and Keane missed the World Cup. Keane gave an interview concerning the controversy to RTÉ and when asked if it was possible to go back he did not deny that he might. The Irish football team were defeated in a penalty shootout by Spain in the second round. The FAI commissioned a report from external consultants Genesis, into its World Cup preparations. The "Genesis Report" agreed with many of Keane's criticisms, finding that the FAI structure was not conducive to good planning and making a range of recommendations. The complete report was not published for legal reasons. Brendan Menton resigned as FAI General Secretary at this time, and the media linked the two events, though Menton denied this. Legacy Roy Keane stated that he would not play again for Ireland under McCarthy, and in his autobiography even said that his former national team coach could 'rot in hell'. McCarthy continued as national team manager and Ireland then played Russia in a qualifying match for the European Championship. Ireland lost to a badly resourced Russian team 4–2, who had played badly in the World Cup. Ireland lost the game 2–1 at Lansdowne Road. In the face of rebellion on the terraces, a decrease in support for the national team, and consequent declining attendance revenues, the FAI decided to ask McCarthy to resign. The appointment of Brian Kerr as team manager in 2003 led to Keane's return to international football on 27 May 2004, in a friendly match against Romania at Lansdowne Road. He played his final international game the following year, having been capped 67 times for the nation since 1991. He retired from playing at club level in 2006. Ireland failed to qualify for any major tournament until 2011, when after beating Estonia they qualified for the 2012 European Championships. By November 2006, Keane appeared to have reconciled with McCarthy when the two men settled their differences via a phone call ahead of a match between McCarthy's Wolverhampton Wanderers and Keane's Sunderland. The handshake between the two men received considerable media attention. In April 2007, the managers again met in another match, and Keane praised McCarthy for his work in Sunderland previous to Keane's tenure there. In December 2013, Keane, speaking in an ITV4 documentary, admitted his regret at missing