Roy Keane allegedly elbowed a football fan after he was ‘headbutted’ during Manchester United’s clash with Arsenal in September, a court has heard.
Scott Law, 43, is accused of assaulting the ex-United star after Keane, 52, celebrated a goal from his former side. However, Law claims he was just rushing to the toilet when the Sky Sports pundit ambushed him and called him a “fat c***”, Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court heard.
And footage has now shown the ex-United captain allegedly throwing an elbow in the direction of the supporter in the aftermath of the incident. Micah Richards, who was appearing alongside Keane on Sky Sports, then steps in.
Richards was heard saying: “Are you crazy? Are you f***ing mad? Say sorry.” Before he added: “Someone needs to arrest him, he’s just assaulted Roy Keane, don’t let him go.”
Defence lawyer Charles Sherrard KC yesterday accused Keane of taking “glory” in his reputation as “a hard man”. He suggested Keane used “gratuitous violence” with the alleged elbow.
“How are you stopping somebody getting away with an elbow to the face – with your bent arm,” he said. “That was your way of retaliating. You were the only person who delivered any unlawful violence. There was no need for that was there?
“That injury to Mr Law’s nose was caused by you, in that way, in that moment.”
Keane denied the allegations, telling the court he was carrying a bag in each hand at the time: “I was assaulted in the workplace as a pundit and I was trying to stop him getting away. That was my only intention.”
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Speaking to the court on Wednesday, Keane admitted he was left in shock after the alleged headbutt. He 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.”
He 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.”
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.
(Image: PA)
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”.
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.
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 denies a charge of common assault. The trial continues.