A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault after Roy Keane was allegedly headbutted during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest having been investigated after Sky Sports pundit Keane was allegedly confronted by a man in the West Stand as he made his way down to perform his post-match media duties by the side of the pitch following Arsenal’s late 3-1 win.
The man allegedly aimed a headbutt at Keane but did not inflict any serious physical damage on the former Manchester United captain.
Video footage on social media showed Keane’s Sky Sports colleague Micah Richards grappling with a man to restrain him.
Keane was then escorted down to the pitchside area where he continued broadcasting.
“On Monday, September 4, a 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault (ABH). The man has been taken into police custody,” police said. “Enquiries are ongoing.”
Sky said in a statement: “We understand the police are investigating an alleged assault by a member of the public immediately preceding the footage circulating on social media. In the footage seen, Micah Richards was acting to defuse a situation.”
An Arsenal spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident that took place during our match against Manchester United on Sunday. The Metropolitan Police are investigating the matter and we are fully cooperating with their inquiries.”
