CCTV footage has captured the chaos following an incident where Manchester United legend Roy Keane was allegedly headbutted by a football fan, amidst claims that the Irishman had thrown an elbow in what’s been described as “gratuitous violence”.
Keane appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to testify against Scott Law, 43, who is contesting a common assault charge. It’s claimed that Law assaulted Keane during the dying moments of United’s Premier League game against Arsenal in September last year. Keane, alongside Richards, had been analysing the match from the studio when the purported confrontation occurred. Law, who was seated near the studio, reportedly took offence to Keane celebrating a late United goal, which was subsequently disallowed.
Prosecutor Simon Jones informed the court that this celebration acted as a “catalyst” for the “shocking and unlawful” altercation. The court was told how Law allegedly charged at Keane after a last-minute VAR decision favoured Arsenal, supposedly propelling the ex-Ireland star through a set of doors with a headbutt. Keane, who sustained bruising to his chest and arms, remarked: “We missed the final two goals but that was the least of my worries.”
Conversely, Law’s account to the court suggested he was hurrying to the bathroom and only used his head to defend himself when Keane confronted him, allegedly taunting him as a “fatty”. In a statement prepared for the police, Law recounted how Keane had “approached him in an aggressive manner”, prompting him to defensively headbutt.
Mr Jones remarked: “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.”
However, Charles Sherrard KC, defending, suggested that Keane lost his temper when the VAR decision went against his old team and he faced mockery from Arsenal supporters. The court was shown a slow-motion video by Law’s defence, claiming it depicted Keane delivering an “upper cut elbow” to Law’s nose.
Sherrard confronted Keane, saying, “You chose to confront him”, and alleged, “When you saw him, you said ‘say it to my face you fat c***’.” Keane disputed this, responding, “I said that when I was at work? Disagree.”
Sherrard accused Keane of “gratuitous violence” on camera, asserting he used his elbow to “smash his nose”. Keane countered, explaining the footage showed him attempting to prevent Law from leaving, leading Sherrard to question, “How are you stopping someone getting away with an elbow to the face? “.
Keane explained, “I’ve got bags in my hands, I was trying to grab him, to stop him from getting out. I must have said nine or ten times, someone call the police. I’m trying to stop him from leaving.”
It was heard in court that Richards exclaimed, “Are you crazy? Are you f***ing mad? Say sorry.” It is also claimed he later said, “Someone needs to arrest him, he’s just assaulted Roy Keane, don’t let him go.”
Richards is due to testify in court on Friday. Law denies the common assault charge. The trial is ongoing.