Roy Keane admits he was left ‘in shock’ after he was ‘headbutted’, a courtroom heard
Roy Keane confesses he was left “in shock” after claiming a football fan allegedly headbutted him, a court heard.
The Sky Sports commentator, who was present at the Emirates for Manchester United’s clash with Arsenal in September, was celebrating when United scored, reportedly causing supporter Scott Law to react fiercely.
As Keane and Micah Richards, his co-commentator on Sky Sports, were descending for the final match breakdown, he claims he was targeted. Keane provided a testimony at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (May 29) against Law, who is contesting a common assault charge.
(Image: PA)
Keane said: “There was lots of noise and shouting as you would expect at a football match. I was just walking and before I knew it, I was hit. I was absolutely not expecting it,” reports the Mirror.
The former Man United captain further explained that there was “large contact” with the side of his face and chest that bumped him backwards through a doorway. He said: “The only way I can describe it is that I was in shock. I didn’t expect it to happen, not when I was in my workplace.”
(Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Keane, who sustained bruising on his chest and arms, concluded: “We missed the final two goals but that was the least of my worries.”
The court was told that Keane and Richards had been commenting on the match from the studio when Law, who was seated in front of the studio, noticed Keane’s celebration of a late United goal that was subsequently disallowed by VAR, leading to an Arsenal victory.
Prosecutor Simon Jones described this moment as a “catalyst” for what he termed a “shocking and unlawful” assault. Jones pointed out that Law’s “aggressive” gesture indicated he was “intent on violence from the outset”.
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Law is accused of delivering a “forceful headbutt” to Keane’s chest, sending him reeling backwards. Keane testified that he saw Richards holding back the assailant, attempting to prevent him from escaping, although Law managed to flee after the alleged incident and was arrested the next day.
Law claimed that Keane had “approached him in an aggressive manner”, which led him to react with a headbutt in self-defence.
Prosecutor Jones argued: “There was simply no justification for the defendant’s violence. We say he was clearly the aggressor. His claims of needing to get a pre-emptive strike in lack credibility.”
Law has pleaded not guilty to common assault, and the trial is ongoing.
