Roy Keane ‘threw elbow’ at Arsenal fan and gestured to meet outside, court hears

Roy Keane told an Arsenal fan to “meet him outside” after “banter turned more aggressive” while on duty with Sky Sports, a court has heard.

Keane was allegedly headbutted while covering Manchester United’s fixture at the Emirates Stadium last September, with Scott Law pleading not guilty to a charge of common assault at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.

Law, 43, gave a prepared statement to police the day after the incident and said: “Throughout the match there was what I would regard as banter between me and Mr Keane. The banter turned more aggressive with Mr Keane gesturing towards me to meet him outside.”

Law, of Waltham Abbey in Essex, added in the statement that he was an “avid football fan” and had seen Mr Keane act violently before on the football pitch, saying he was “scared” at the time of the incident. He said during a “natural break in the game” he went to use the toilet and was approached by Mr Keane in a “very aggressive manner”, adding: “His face looked angry.”

In his statement, Law stated that he moved his head forward in a “pre-emptive strike” to defend himself against the former Sunderland manager.

On Wednesday, Law’s defence team alleged that Keane was captured on camera using “gratuitous violence” against Law by “smashing his nose” with his elbow.

Sherrard asked Keane: “How are you stopping someone getting away with an elbow to the face?” Keane replied: “That’s to stop him getting away. I’m trying to grab him. 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 10 times: ‘Someone call the police’.”

It was alleged by Sherrard that “the red mist descended” on Keane after a VAR decision went against Manchester United towards the end of the match and he was taunted by home supporters.

Addressing the former Nottingham Forest player, Sherrard said: “You chose to confront him. When you saw him, you said: ‘Say it to my face you fat c***’.” Mr Keane replied: “I said that when I was at work? Disagree.”

Keane was also quizzed over the course of an hour by Sherrard over his reputation in football, his infamous tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland and comments made on recent podcasts.

He denied ever trying to injure an opponent. “Players know when you go into tackles, when you are physical and hit someone, there’s a good chance you are going to get hurt. Injured is different. That was the game I was in - people hurt me, and I have to hurt people. When you are playing in the middle of the park, you are going to get hurt.”

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.”