'RED MIST'
Moment Roy Keane ‘elbows’ football fan who ‘headbutted him’ during brawl before Micah Richards restrains supporter
Footballer denied taking 'glory' in hard man reputation after he allegedly 'smashed' supporter's face
THIS is the moment Roy Keane allegedly elbowed a football fan after he was "headbutted" during a brawl.
Scott Law, 43, is accused of knocking the ex-Utd player through a set of doors after violence erupted at the Emirates.
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Keane, 52, was celebrating a goal from his former side against Arsenal when he was attacked, Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court heard.
But Law claims he was just rushing to the toilet when the Sky Sports pundit ambushed him and called him a "fat c***".
He also claims "aggressive"; Keane gestured to "meet him outside" during the melee.
Footage now shows the former footballer allegedly throwing an elbow at the supporter's face in the aftermath of the fight.
Keane's fellow Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards then steps in to restrain Law before the alleged attacker fled the scene.
Richards was heard saying: “Are you crazy? Are you f***ing mad? Say sorry.”
The pundit said later: “Someone needs to arrest him, he’s just assaulted Roy Keane, don’t let him go.”
JPs heard today Keane did not assault Law with an elbow to the face during the chaos.
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DC Phillip Dickinson, from the Met's Public Order Unit, said: "I don't believe it was an intentional elbow to the face looking at the footage.
"There may have been contact but it does not look like a deliberate elbow to the face in my opinion."
‘I'm happy to be proved wrong,' says Roy Keane as Man Utd legend eats his words about current star after FA Cup triumph
But defence lawyer Charles Sherrard KC branded the claims "absolute nonsense".
It came after the lawyer yesterday accused Keane of taking “glory” in his reputation as “a hard man” as he was grilled over infamous tackles during his career.
He also referenced Keane holding the record for the most red cards in English football.
Mr Sherrard brought up the 2001 horror tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland - telling to the court how the ex-footballer later revealed he "wanted to hurt him".
He then suggested Keane had used "gratuitous violence" by smashing Law in the face.
The lawyer said: "How are you stopping somebody getting away with an elbow to the face - with your bent arm?
“That was your way of retaliating. You were the only person who delivered any unlawful violence. There was no need for that was there?
"That injury to Mr Law’s nose was caused by you, in that way, in that moment.”
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But taking the stand, Keane denied all the allegations, with the court told he was actually carrying a bag in each hand at the time.
He said: "I was assaulted in the workplace as a pundit and I was trying to stop him getting away.
"That was my only intention.”
Keane claimed he and Richards were heading down for the final match analysis when contact was made with his face that sent 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."
Keane told the court he saw the attacker being restrained by Richards, who was trying to make sure he didn't "run off".
The footie hardman then started yelling for someone to "call the police" as his fellow pundit loosened his grip on Law, who fled.
Keane, 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 the ex-footballers had been commenting on the game from a glass studio before the attack on September 3.
Law was sat in front of the room when he noticed Keane celebrating a Utd goal, which was later chalked off by VAR.
Inside Roy Keane and Micah Richards' unlikely bromance
Roy Keane and Micah Richards may have been separated by the Manchester divide as players.
But they have been thick as thieves since forming an unlikely friendship as pundits.
The duo initially appeared to be chalk and cheese while appearing on Sky Sports.
But despite their differing personalities, they have an underlying respect.
Fun-loving ex-City star Richards, 35, once said of his notoriously grump United pal: "Never did I think we'd have a relationship like that. Working with him is an absolute pleasure.
"I'm in awe of him."
Ahead of Euro 2020, the pair starred in their own show together, with their on-screen chemistry and friendship clear for all to see.
The five-episode series, titled "Micah and Roy's Road to Wembley", followed the pair during that summer's European Championships.
Prosecutor Simon Jones told the court this was a "catalyst" for the "shocking and unlawful" attack.
"Hyped-up" Law then made his way to an area where he delivered a “forceful headbutt” to Keane's chest - knocking him backwards.
The married dad fled the scene following the brawl but was arrested the following day, it was said.
He 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.
Law said: "Throughout the match there was what I would regard as banter between me and Mr Keane.
"The banter turned more aggressive with Mr Keane gesturing towards me to meet him outside."
Law told police he was an "avid football fan"; and had seen Keane act violently before on the football pitch, adding that he was "scared" at the time of the incident.
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He claimed during a "natural break in the game" he went to use the toilet and was approached by Keane in a "very aggressive manner", adding: "His face looked angry.";
Law denies a charge of common assault. The trial continues.
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