Scott Law, 43, of Waltham Abbey, Essex, entered a not guilty plea to a common assault charge following an event that occurred at the Emirates stadium in September of last year. In court, former Manchester United footballer Roy Keane said he was “in shock” following an incident in which he was allegedly “headbutted” through doors during a Premier League game. To the charge of common assault, 43-year-old Scott Law of Waltham Abbey, Essex, has entered a not guilty plea. The charge of assault by beating is related to an event that happened on September 3, 2018, at Emirates Stadium, where former Ireland international Keane was a pundit, after Arsenal defeated Manchester United 3-1. The incident happened when he and fellow Sky Sports analyst Micah Richards were walking down for the final match analysis, the 52-year-old told Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. “There was lots of noise and shouting, as you would expect at a football match,” stated the reporter. “I was just strolling when I felt something hit me. I fell back through a few doors after sensing the contact. “I did not anticipate it at all. I was in shock; that’s the only way to put it. It wasn’t anything I anticipated happening while I was working there.” Social media users shared a video showing Mr. Richards intervening to break up what appeared to be a fight. Mr. Keane addressed the court as follows: “Micah then grabs hold of someone.” All he was doing was attempting to hold onto him to prevent him from escaping. “I was telling them to call the cops. Micah held him against a wall for a good fifteen or twenty seconds in order to prevent him from fleeing.” After Mr. Richards lost his hold, Law left the scene, the court heard, and the two analysts went to pitchside to offer their post-match commentary. Mr. Keane continued, “We missed the final two goals, but that was the least of my worries.” He says the encounter caused him to have bruises on his arms and chest. Law, an Arsenal supporter, was seen in a video shown on the court moving to face the Sky Sports broadcast box after VAR disallowed a goal for Manchester United. After that, he moved out of his seat and into the club level, where he encountered Mr. Keane. After that, the prosecution claims, Law moved to a life area and gave Keane a “forceful headbutt” to the chest. The defendant allegedly left the area after that but was taken into custody the next day. In a prepared statement to the officers, Law claimed that Keane had “approached him in an aggressive manner,” which prompted him to throw back his head in self-defense. However, Simon Jones KC, the prosecutor, stated: “Self-defence has no place in this case, and there is simply no justification for the defendant’s violence. He was clearly the aggressor, and his claims of moving to a pre-emptive stroke lack credibility.” The trial is still ongoing, with a Friday conclusion anticipated.
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