ROY Keane was allegedly headbutted by a fan in shocking scenes during Arsenal’s match against Manchester United.
Dramatic footage shows Sky Sports colleague Micah Richards entering and pinning the fan against the wall moments after the alleged attack.
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Keane was reportedly tackled before Richards entered Credit: Twitter
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Roy Keane (right) and Micah Richards (left) were pundits for the Arsenal v Manchester United clash alongside Theo Walcott Credit: Twitter @SkySportsPL
The suspect was accused of headbutting the United legend, but allegedly hit him on the chest and chin, MailOnline reports.
Keane, 52, and Richards were waiting for transport in the members-only Highbury bar at the top of the West Stand when the incident happened.
They made their way up the pitch during the closing minutes of a tense game to give Sky Sports their post-match verdicts.
But the pair are understood to have tried to return to the studio after Alejandro Garnach’s late goal, which was later ruled out by VAR for offside.
A witness told The Express that Keane asked staff nearby to call the police.
They said: “Looks like a fan tried to headbutt Roy Keane. Then I saw a mark between his eyebrows.
“Micah Richards came in and pushed the fan back into the door. I heard an argument and was shocked to see the individuals involved.”
The witness added: “Afterwards we noticed a small amount of blood on the floor on the route where the fan was taken out. It appears that Micah Richards was Roy Keane’s bodyguard.”
The pundits were eventually escorted to the pitch, where they were able to continue the broadcast alongside Theo Walcott and host Dave Jones.
What we know:
- Roy Keane and Micah Richards clash with a fan
- The incident took place in the members-only bar as the pundits descended on the field
- The pair then tried to return to the Sky studio to watch Garnach’s disallowed goal again
- The fan allegedly hit Keane on the chest and chin
- Richards went in and “shoved the fan back on the door”
- The witness recalled seeing “a small amount of blood on the floor”.
- But the fan is prevented from causing serious damage
- Richards “acted to defuse the situation,” a Sky Sports spokesman said
- Police confirm they are investigating the alleged assault
- Arsenal is cooperating with the authorities, a club spokesman said
The fan is prevented from inflicting serious bodily harm.
Former City defender Richards is said to be “acting to defuse the situation”, according to a Sky Sports spokesperson.
Officers confirmed they were investigating an “alleged assault” but said no arrests had been made.
A Sky Sports spokesman said: “We understand police are investigating an alleged assault by a member of the public shortly before the footage was circulated on social media.
“In the video seen, Micah Richards acted to defuse the situation.”
Do you see the incident, have any information or know the man in the video? Email Jamie Phillips: [email protected]
A spokesman for the Meteorological Police confirmed that the police had launched an investigation.
The statement said: “Police are investigating following an attack which allegedly took place at the Emirates Stadium during Arsenal’s match against Manchester United on Sunday 3 September.
“No arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing.”
Arsenal are cooperating with the authorities in the ongoing investigation.
A club spokesman added: “We are aware of the incident that took place during our game against Manchester United on Sunday.
“The Metropolitan Police are investigating this matter and we are fully cooperating with their inquiries.”
Earlier, Keane shared his frustration with United and Arsenal players greeting each other in the tunnel before the game.
He said: “Everyone thinks I’m old school, but I don’t know why you want to talk to people you’re just going into battle with.
“You will knock the balls out of each other.
“I’ll shake your hand after the game, but not before you go into battle.”
Keane and Richards played for fierce rivals on the pitch but have been an unlikely link since the former City defender joined the Sky Sports pundits.
His former United team-mate and Ireland international, meanwhile, had a tumultuous relationship with Arsenal during his playing days.
In one incident, Keane and then Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira clashed before a Premier League game at Highbury in February 2005.
The pair had to be separated by referee Graham Poll after Keane came to the defense of teammate and now Sky Sports colleague Gary Neville.
It was one of a series of tense affairs as United and Arsenal battled it out for the Premier League title between 1996 and 2004.
Off-field drama at the Emirates followed a pulsating 113-minute game riddled with VAR controversy as Arsenal beat United 3-1.
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Richards, Walcott, Keane and Jones were on the pitch after the gameCredit: Twitter
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Keane and Richards are regular Sky pundits Credit: Getty
Devastated by injuries, the visiting team took the lead with a good strike from Marcus Rashford.
But Martin Odegaard responded immediately with a clean low finish.
Garnacho thought he had won it for the Red Devils late in regulation time but his shot was ruled out for offside.
The game looked set to end in a 1-1 draw before Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus scored for Arsenal deep into stoppage time.
Keane and Richards are regulars on Sky’s Super Sunday program and are likely to return to TV screens together after the international break on September 17.
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