Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane has told a court he was left “in shock” after allegedly being headbutted during a Premier League football match.
Scott Law, 43, of Waltham Abbey, Essex, pleaded not guilty to a charge of common assault at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
The incident allegedly took place on 3 September last year, shortly after Arsenal beat Manchester United 3-1 in a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium.
Keane, 52, who was at the game working as a pundit, told the court that the incident happened when he and his Sky Sports colleague Micah Richards were walking down for the final match analysis.
“There was lots of noise and shouting, as you would expect at a football match,” the former Ireland international told the court.
“I was just walking and, before I knew it, I was hit. I felt the contact and fell back through some doors.
“I was absolutely not expecting it. 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.”
‘Forceful headbutt’ to the chest
A video played in court showed Law – an Arsenal fan – turning to the Sky Sports broadcast box after VAR ruled out a goal for Manchester United.
He then appeared to leave his seat before making his way to the club level, where he crossed paths with Keane.
According to the prosecution, Law then made his way to a hallway near the Sky Sports studio, where he delivered a “forceful headbutt” to Keane’s chest.
Footage posted on social media showed Richards stepping in afterwards to calm an apparent confrontation.
Keane said Richards held the man, believed to be Law, up against a wall for about “15 to 20 seconds” to stop him getting away.
“He was just trying to get a grip of him and make sure he didn’t run off,” he told the court.
Law then allegedly fled the scene after Richards lost his grip, before the two pundits headed pitch-side to give their post-match analysis.
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“We missed the final two goals, but that was the least of my worries,” Keane added.
The former Manchester United midfielder claimed he suffered bruising on his chest and arms as a result of the alleged assault.
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Law told officers in a prepared statement that Keane had “approached him in an aggressive manner” which caused him to throw his head back in self-defence.
But Simon Jones KC, prosecuting, argued: “Self-defence has no place in this case and there is simply no justification for the defendant’s violence.
“[He was] clearly the aggressor and his claims of moving to a pre-emptive stroke lack credibility.”
The trial continues and is expected to conclude on Friday.
