Roy Keane admits he was ‘in shock’ after fan ‘headbutted him’ at Arsenal match

Keane also said there was “large contact” with the side of his face and chest that knocked him backwards through a set of doors. The pundit continued: “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, who suffered bruising on his chest and arms, added: “We missed the final two goals but that was the least of my worries.”

The court heard that the Keane and Richards had been commenting on the game from the studio before the alleged attack on. Law was sat in front of that studio when he noticed Keane celebrating a late United goal, which was later chalked off by VAR before Arsenal won the game late on. Prosecutor Simon Jones told the court this was a “catalyst” for the “shocking and unlawful” attack.

He added that the “aggressive” gesture from the “hyped-up defendant” highlighted that he was “intent on violence from the outset”, the court heard.

Law allegedly later made his way to an area where he delivered a “forceful headbutt” to Keane’s chest, which knocked him backwards. The former United captain told the court he saw the attacker being restrained by Richards, who was trying to make sure he didn’t “run off”, but Law later fled the scene after the alleged confrontation before being arrested the following day, it was said.

Law told officers in a prepared statement how Keane had “approached him in an aggressive manner” – causing him to throw his head back in self-defence.

Mr Jones said: “There was simply no justification for the defendant’s violence. We say he was clearly the aggressor. His claims of needing to get a pre-emptive strike in lack credibility.”

Law denies a charge of common assault. The trial continues.

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