An incident involving Roy Keane and a soccer fan outside the Ireland team's hotel was a "very minor matter", according to Garda sources familiar with the case.

The Irish Times understands while there was contact between the assistant manager of the team and the fan, the incident was described as "jostling or shoving" and was not being treated as an assault.

Garda sources confirmed an investigation was under way.

However, neither the fan involved in the incident nor Keane had last night made a statement to gardaí. If no statement is made, the matter will go no further.

Some sources said even if an official complaint were lodged it was difficult to see the matter progressing because it was so minor.

Gardaí were called to the scene at the Portmarnock Hotel in Dublin by members of the Irish camp on behalf of Keane on Wednesday afternoon.

Fans had gathered outside, apparently in the hope of meeting players. When Keane was approached by some fans near the door, a minor fracas occurred after he was asked for an autograph.

He declined to sign a copy of his autobiography, at which point pages were torn from the book and the contact between Keane and the fan occurred.