Roy Keane tells court about ‘shocking and unlawful attack’ during Manchester United fixture

Roy Keane has explained that he was left “in shock” after a fan allegedly headbutted him during a Manchester United fixture last season.

Scott Law, 43, is accused of lashing out at Keane during the Premier League fixture between United and Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Last September, footage emerged on social media after the incident with fellow Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards restraining Law.

The United legend took the stand at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to give evidence.

Keane said he “couldn’t believe it” when he was headbutted and had not been aware of anyone coming towards him.

He told the court, as per, the Standard, “There was a bit of confusion, a lot of people, lots of noise, shouting, as you would expect, five to ten minutes to go in the football match.

“Before I knew it, I’m hit. I just felt the contact, and I’ve fallen back through some doors.”

“The only way I can describe it is, without a doubt, in shock. I didn’t expect that to happen, not when I was in the workplace.”

Keane said he saw “someone who had obviously headbutted me”, who was then restrained by Richards. “He was trying to get a grip of him to make sure he didn’t run off.

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“Straight away, I was saying ‘call the police’… Instinctively, I knew I had been hit. More people were gathering, Micah was holding him up against a wall,” he added.

Prosecutor Simon Jones said Law was sitting in a seat near the glass-fronted Sky Sports studio where Keane had been doing half-time punditry with Richards.

“Roy Keane and Micah Richards began to make their way towards the pitch in preparation for fulltime analysis,” he said.

“On hearing a roar from the crowd, they returned to see Manchester United had seemingly scored, only for it to be disallowed following a VAR decision.

“That was the catalyst for the defendant to leave his seat and make his way to the area between him and contact with Roy Keane, who was now back on his way from the studio to the lift to get to the pitch in readiness for the fulltime commentary.”

The court was then played footage of the Arsenal crowd celebrating the VAR decision, with several fans apparently turning towards the Sky studio.

“The defendant appears to make an obscene gesture towards those in the Sky studio, including Roy Keane,” continued Mr Jones.

“Scott Law’s reaction at that point is important evidence. He makes an obscene gesture towards the Sky studio. That level of aggression plainly within the hyped-up defendant in that moment, shortly before he saw Roy Keane.

“The prosecution say the defendant was intent on violence from the outset.

“He takes little time in going straight up to Roy Keane where he delivered a forceful headbutt which impacted on the left upper side of the chest.

“Roy Keane instantly fell back. This was a shocking and unlawful attack.”

Former Manchester City and Aston Villa defender Richards is expected to enter the witness box on Friday morning.