An Arsenal fan has been handed a three-year football banning order for headbutting former Manchester United star Roy Keane in what was described as a “gratuitous and senseless act of violence.”
Scott Law, 43, was found guilty of common assault following Arsenal’s Premier League victory over United at the Emirates Stadium on September 3. The incident occurred as Keane and fellow pundit Micah Richards were walking to provide their post-match analysis.
During the trial at a London magistrates court, it was revealed that Keane was headbutted by Law, causing the former Republic of Ireland midfielder to fall through a set of doors.
Law’s defence claimed that CCTV footage from inside the stadium showed Keane elbowing him in the face. However, Keane, 52, testified: “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… I was in shock.” Keane also mentioned he suffered bruising on his chest and arms.
Law, who had been sitting beneath the Sky Sports studio during the match, alleged that Keane had singled him out, telling him to meet outside and pointing towards the doors. Law claimed he went into the stadium to use the restroom and then encountered Keane, leading to the collision.
When prosecutor Simon Jones KC questioned Law’s account, asking if he was seriously suggesting Keane had run into the top of his head, Law responded, “I put my head down in a defensive manner to protect my face.” Jones criticized Law’s defense as “ridiculous” and inconsistent with his initial statement to police.
District Judge Angus Hamilton, delivering the verdict, stated that he found Law’s account to be untruthful and was convinced that Law had assaulted Keane. Alongside the banning order, Law was sentenced to 80 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £650 ($830) in legal costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
