Richards 'grappled' with man accused of Keane assault, court told

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has told a court in England that he "grappled" with a man who is accused of headbutting his punditry partner Roy Keane inside Arsenal's football stadium.

Scott Law, 43, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of common assault against Keane, relating to an incident on 3 September last year following Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United.

The former Manchester United midfielder, who was working as a pundit for Sky Sports, was allegedly headbutted through doors at the Emirates Stadium by Law, of Waltham Abbey, Essex.

Richards told Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on this morning that he was in "disbelief" about the incident, adding that he "felt sorry for Roy" who he described as a friend.

The ex-England international said "you wouldn’t get sent off" for CCTV footage, shown in court, that Law’s defence team alleged showed Keane elbowing the defendant in the face.

Richards also denied accusations by Law’s defence barrister that he had claimed to see the headbutt because he was "Roy’s mate" and had become the ex-Ireland international’s "stooge" and "puppy".

Wearing a dark navy double-breasted suit with a black shirt and tie, Mr Richards told the court: "I felt sorry for Roy.

"Just because of the fact you’ve come to work, to do your job and you’ve been assaulted.

"I could see he was physically shaken up. You do what any friend would do, or any colleague, step in and try to help the situation."

"It was a surreal moment. We weren’t going to a UFC match. We were at work."

Following the match last year, footage was widely shared on social media of the former Aston Villa footballer stepping in to calm an apparent confrontation.

Discussing the aftermath of the incident, Mr Richards said: "I