14 March 2024 , 11:37
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A 43-year-old man has denied assaulting Roy Keane after the former Manchester United captain was allegedly headbutted while working as a pundit.
Scott Law was charged with common assault last month following the alleged incident, which occurred while Arsenal beat United 3-1 at the Emirates back in September. Keane was working that game as a pundit for Sky Sports.
Law, from Waltham Abbey in Essex, appeared at Highbury Magistrates' Court and pled not guilty to common assault. He is now set for a two-day trial which is due to begin on May 29 and he has been released on unconditional bail until then.
Footage emerged on social media of fellow pundit Micah Richards getting involved in an apparent confrontation with a fan. Sky Sports released a statement at the time, explaining that Richards was attempting to defuse the situation.
"We understand the police are investigating an alleged assault by a member of the public immediately preceding the footage circulating on social media," a spokesperson said. "In the footage seen, Micah Richards was acting to defuse a situation."
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The incident was said to have occurred after Keane celebrated an Alejandro Garnacho goal, which would have drawn United level. However, the goal was ultimately ruled out for offside and Arsenal went on to score a third.
"Police are investigating an incident at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, 3 September, during which a man was assaulted," Metropolitan Police said. "On Monday, 4 September, a 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault (ABH).
Scott Law has denied a charge of common assault (PA)"The man has been taken into police custody. Enquiries are ongoing." It is understood that Sky have started providing extra security for their pundits following the attack on Keane.
And Chris Sutton, who joined Sky's punditry team last year, spoke out about some of the abuse he has received in the wake of the incident. "Somebody tried to attack me before in a hotel bar," Sutton told the Daily Mail.
"I've had a death threat. I've had a car mount the pavement and career towards me. I've been abused quite badly. I'd say possibly three times over the years, on an airplane by mobs. There's not like you can do much about it."
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