A football fan accused of headbutting former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane in an alleged assault at Arsenal’s stadium claims he was acting in self-defence, a court has heard. Scott Law, from Waltham Abbey in Essex, has been charged with assault by beating at the Emirates Stadium on September 3 last year, at the end of Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United.
It is said he assaulted Keane, who was working as a TV pundit, after the match, in an incident that was partly caught on camera.
Footage which emerged on social media showed Keane’s Sky Sports colleague Micah Richards stepping in to calm an apparent confrontation.
At Highbury Corner magistrates court on Thursday, Law appeared in the dock to plead not guilty to a single charge of assault by beating.
“The issue for trial is one of self-defence”, the court was told.
Shila Keshvari, representing Law, said he currently plans to call six defence witnesses during a trial which could last up to two days.
Keane and Richards are also likely to be called as witnesses.
Marcus Rashford had opened the scoring for Manchester United in the Premier League clash, with Martin Odegaard levelling the tie just a minute later.
The game looked set to be heading for a draw, before Arsenal struck twice in injury time through Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus securing a 3-1 victory.
Arsenal sit atop of the Premier League, while Manchester United are 17 points behind in sixth place.
Law, dressed all in black, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the brief court hearing.
He was released on unconditional bail by magistrate Amanda Gibbon until a trial which was set for May 29 and May 30.
