Manchester United captain Roy Keane was cleared Tuesday of assault and criminal damage charges after an alleged confrontation with a 16-year-old boy.

Keane, 33, remained seated and showed no reaction as Judge Paul Richardson read the verdict at Trafford Magistrates Court.

Keane allegedly got into a dispute on Sept. 4 while walking his dog near his home in the Manchester suburb of Hale. He said he was taunted by the teenager, and was accused of damaging the boy's neck chain.

The member of the Irish national team acknowledged in testimony that he was angry with the teenager, but denied grabbing him by the neck and shouting in his face.

Keane is known for his temper. He missed the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan after an argument with Ireland coach Mick McCarthy over the team's preparations and training facilities.