Roy Keane: Ex-Manchester United star told Arsenal fans to ‘meet him outside’ after escalating ‘battle’, court hears | UK news

Arsenal fan Scott Law said that during a match at the Emirates Stadium he went to use the toilet and was approached by Roy Keane – whose “face looked angry” – in a “very aggressive manner”.

Roy Keane told an Arsenal fan to “meet him outside” after “the banter became more aggressive”, a court heard.

Scott Law, 43, pleaded not guilty to a common assault charge against the former Manchester United star in relation to an incident on September 3 last year during Arsenal’s 3-1 Premier League win against Red Devils.

Keane, 52, who is also a pundit for Sky Sports, was alleged headbutt by Law at the Emirates Stadiumcausing him to fall backwards through the doors.

Law’s defense team claim CCTV footage from inside the stadium – played at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court – shows Keane elbowing the defendant in the face.

In a prepared statement given to police the day after the incident, Law said: “Throughout the match there was what I would consider to be a joke between myself and Mr Keane.

“The bouncers became more aggressive with Mr Keane motioning for me to meet him outside.”

He said during a “natural break in the game” he went to use the toilet and was approached by Keane – whose “face looked upset” – in a “very aggressive manner”.

Law said he moved his head forward in a “pre-emptive strike” to fend off Keane.

He claimed he had seen the former footballer acting violently on the pitch before and was “scared” at the time of the incident.

“It didn’t seem intentional”

In court, the Met Police officer in charge of the case said there may have been contact by Keane but it did not appear deliberate.

The officer was asked by defense barrister Charles Sherrard KC: “What possible explanation can there be for raising your elbow at that speed to hold someone in your arms?”

Detective Constable Phil Dickinson replied: “In my opinion he went to get him.”

“There may have been contact, but it doesn’t look like a deliberate elbow to the face in my opinion,” he added.

Sherrard accused the officer of “lying”, calling his response “absolute nonsense” and claimed the police “did nothing” to investigate the evidence pointing to Law, who was sitting under the Sky Sports studio during the match.

When Keane was asked how he stopped someone getting away with an elbow to the face, the former midfielder said: “I’ve got bags in my hands, I was trying to grab him to stop him going out.

“I must have said ‘someone call the police’ nine or ten times.

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The defense claims the “red mist descended” on Keane after a VAR decision was made against Manchester United towards the end of the match and he was jeered by the home fans.

Mr Sherrard told Keane in court: “You chose to confront him. When you saw him, you said, “Say it to my face, you bastard.”

To which Keane replied: “Did I say that when I was at work? I disagree”.

After last year’s game, footage was widely shared on social media of former Manchester City footballer and Keane’s team-mate Micah Richards stepping in to calm an apparent confrontation.

The process continues.