An Arsenal supporter has been found guilty of headbutting Roy Keane at the Emirates Stadium after the Gunners’ 3-1 victory over Manchester United on September 3 last year.
Scott Law, 43, had pleaded not guilty to a charge of common assault against Keane but was convicted of the offence at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning. The court previously heard that former Republic of Ireland international Keane, who was working as a pundit for Sky Sports, was headbutted through doors at the Emirates Stadium by Law, of Waltham Abbey, Essex.
Asked about the attack during the trial, Keane said: “There was lots of noise and shouting, as you would expect at a football match. I was just walking and, before I knew it, I was hit.
“I felt the contact and fell back through some doors. I was absolutely not expecting it. The only way I can describe it is that I was in shock. I didn’t expect it to happen, not when I was in my workplace.”
The Irishman added in court: “Micah [Richards] then gets hold of someone. He was just trying to get a grip of him and make sure he didn’t run off.
“I was saying ‘call the police’. For about 15 or 20 seconds Micah was holding him up against a wall [to stop] him getting away.”
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Law’s defence team argued that CCTV footage from inside the stadium, shown in court, displayed former Manchester United player Keane elbowing the defendant in the face. Giving evidence to the court, former Manchester City defender Richards denied accusations by Law’s defence barrister that he had claimed to see the headbutt because he was “Roy’s mate” and had become the ex-Ireland international’s “puppy” and “stooge”.
The ex-England international said he “grappled” with Law following the alleged incident. Richards said he was in “disbelief” at what he witnessed, and “felt sorry for Roy” who he described as a friend.
Law, a civil engineer, said he had been an Arsenal fan “from birth” and said his Emirates Stadium season ticket was his “prized possession”. He told the court: “It’s the main part of my social circle. My wife organises her diary around Arsenal fixtures because she knows I’ll be there.”
Delivering his verdict, District Judge Angus Hamilton said he believed Law had been “untruthful about what happened” during the match. Mr Hamilton continued: “There was no reason Mr Keane should have picked on him in particular.”
Keane “was calm and not agitated” when he left the studio, he added. The judge said Keane’s reputation as the so-called “hard man of football”, was “years ago and was confined to the football pitch”.
“I’m sure Mr Law assaulted Mr Keane,” the judge said. Law did not react as the verdict was delivered.
Law was banned from all football matches for the next three years and ordered to carry out 80 hours of community service. He must also pay £650 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
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