04 September 2023 , 13:47
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Metropolitan Police have confirmed a man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane during Arsenal's match against Manchester United on Sunday.
Keane was on punditry duties for the Premier League clash at the Emirates when he and colleague Micah Richards made their way through the confines of the stadium to take up a position pitchside before the final whistle. It was whilst on his way to the pitch that a fan is alleged to have headbutted Keane, before Richards intervened to cool the situation.
The incident is claimed to have occurred in the moments following Alejandro Garnacho's disallowed goal, which looked to have put visitors United - Keane's former club - 2-1 ahead. Keane and Richards are believed to have made their way back towards the studio to review the incident, before the Irishman was allegedly confronted by the supporter whilst he waited to get in the lift down to the pitch.
Footage emerged online on Sunday evening of Richards acting as peace maker with a male fan. A statement from Met Police later read: "Police are investigating following an assault that is alleged to have occurred at the Emirates Stadium during an Arsenal v Manchester United match on Sunday, 3 September."
A spokesperson for Sky Sports told Mirror Football: "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 diffuse a situation."
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Mirror Football also approached Arsenal for comment. A spokesperson for the North London club said: "We are aware of an incident that took place during our match against Manchester United on Sunday. The Metropolitan Police is conducting an investigation into the matter and we are fully cooperating with their enquiries."
Arsenal went on to win the game 3-1 in late drama as goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus followed quickly after Garnacho's 89th-minute effort had been ruled out. Sky Sports are now believed to be constructing plans to beef up security around their star pundits.
Keane and Richards are regulars on Sky broadcasts. Speaking after the match, Keane - who was at the forefront of an intense rivalry with Arsenal as a player - assessed the Gunners title chances and said: "It is unfair to compare them to Man City but last season they were the best of the rest. I would say they are the strongest group again amongst the other teams."
"It was a big win today and will give them momentum, some players making an impact from the bench. The feel-good factor will be back but if they had dropped points against United, it would have been a huge setback. They have a spring in their step now."