In his statement, Law stated that he moved his head forward in a “pre-emptive strike” to defend himself against the former Sunderland manager.
Law’s defence team claimed that CCTV footage from inside the stadium showed Keane elbowing the defendant in the face. The court was also shown a custody photo of Law from September 4, 2023 in which he appeared to have an injury to his nose.
Under cross-examination, the police officer in charge of the case said there may have been contact from Mr Keane, but it “does not look like a deliberate elbow to the face”.
Defence barrister Charles Sherrard KC asked the officer: “What possible explanation can there be for raising your elbow at that speed to hold someone?”
But Detective Constable Phil Dickinson, from the Metropolitan Police’s sporting investigations unit, replied: “In my opinion, he’s gone to grab hold of him.”
He added: “There may have been contact, but it does not look like a deliberate elbow to the face in my opinion.”
Following the incident eight months ago, footage was widely shared on social media of ex-Manchester City footballer and Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards stepping in to calm an apparent confrontation. Dc Dickinson said police were unable to trace who filmed the footage, which was shown in court, adding: “It had been retweeted so much.”