Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has dismissed Roy Keane's criticism of Roberto Martinez over players being unavailable for international duty as "unfair" and feels he "does say some stupid things."
Republic of Ireland assistant coach Keane believes Toffees manager Martinez needs to explain ongoing fitness issues surrounding midfielder James McCarthy and right-back Seamus Coleman.
McCarthy and Coleman were both unavailable for Ireland's 1-1 draw with Germany in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Oct. 14, yet played for Everton four days later.
McCarthy has missed his country's last three qualifiers, leading Keane to suggest that Ireland manager Martin O'Neill should meet and discuss the issue with Martinez.
Keane even went as far as to suggest that the former Wigan midfielder is "under lots of pressure" from Everton not to play in internationals, but Kenwright has dismissed such claims.
He told Sky Sports News: "I'm a big fan of Roy Keane, but he does say some stupid things. That's totally unfair. We love our players to go away on international duty, and Roberto Martinez would be as shocked as anyone to hear what Roy has said."
McCarthy suffered a hamstring injury during the Toffees' 1-1 Premier League draw at Sunderland on Nov. 9. Having joined up with the Ireland squad ahead of Friday's Euro 2016 qualifier in Scotland -- which his country lost 1-0 -- he was unable to train all week and was sent back to Everton for treatment.
Coleman, meanwhile, did play the full 90 minutes against Scotland.
Keane was critical of Martinez, hinting that the Everton manager was putting his own team's Europa League commitments ahead of the needs of international coaches.
The former Manchester United captain told reporters on Sunday: "Roberto Martinez has to look after his club and he is probably thinking they have European games. Roberto, I don't think, has ever played senior level at international level and maybe he doesn't appreciate how big it is for us and how big the games are for us."
Keane added: "I worry that he [McCarthy] is under lots of pressure, particularly from Everton's point of view.
"You always get the impression from Everton that Seamus and James are both barely able to walk, that type of thing. So when they actually turn up and they are walking through the reception, [you think] 'praise the Lord, it's a miracle.'"