Roy Keane's 'banter turned aggressive', court told

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane gestured towards an Arsenal fan during a football match to “meet him outside” after “banter turned more aggressive”, a court has heard.

Scott Law, 43, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of common assault against Mr Keane relating to an incident last year following Arsenal’s victory over Manchester United.

Mr Keane, who was working as a pundit, was allegedly headbutted through doors at the Emirates Stadium by Mr Law, of Waltham Abbey, Essex.

Mr Law’s defence team alleged that CCTV footage from inside the stadium, played in court, showed Mr Keane elbowing the defendant in the face.

Under cross-examination, the police officer in charge of the case told Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court there may have been contact from Mr Keane, but it “does not look like a deliberate elbow to the face”.

Defence barrister Charles Sherrard KC said this was “absolute nonsense” and accused the officer of “lying”, alleging that police “had done nothing” to investigate evidence pointing away from Mr Law.

Mr Law’s defence team alleged on Wednesday that Mr Keane was captured on camera using “gratuitous violence” against Mr Law by “smashing his nose” with his elbow.

Mr Keane argued he was trying to stop Mr Law from getting away.

Mr Sherrard asked the former Ireland international: “How are you stopping someone getting away with an elbow to the face?”

Mr Keane replied: “I’m trying to grab him.

“I’ve got bags in my hands, I was trying to grab him to stop him from getting out.

“I must have said nine or 10 times: ‘Someone call the police’.”

Mr Sherrard alleged that “the red mist descended” on Mr Keane after a VAR decision went against Manchester United towards the end of the match and he was taunted by home supporters.

He alleged Mr Keane swore at Mr Law and said "say it to my face".

Mr Keane replied: “I said that when I was at work? Disagree.”

CCTV footage appeared to show Mr Law running away from the stadium on the day of the incident.

In a prepared statement given to police on the day following the incident, Mr 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.”

He said in the statement that he was an “avid football fan” and had seen Mr Keane act violently before on the football pitch, adding that he was “scared” at the time of the incident.

He said during a “natural break in the game” he went to use the toilet and was approached by Mr Keane in a “very aggressive manner”, adding: “His face looked angry.”

The trial continues.

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