Roy Keane and Micah Richards last night got involved in a heated argument with a fan over an alleged assault.
Cops launched a probe as footage of the row, which happened during the heavyweight clash between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, was widely shared online.
The football stars turned pundits were at the match as part of Sky Sports’ coverage.
But Richards, 35, and Keane, 52, found themselves at the centre of an incident outside of their television duties.
Viral Twitter footage showed Richards, who was wearing a black backpack, angrily collaring a man who allegedly assaulted Keane.
Ex-City defender Richards was said to be “acting to diffuse a situation”, according to a Sky Sports spokesperson.
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Keane was said to have been confronted by the fan in a foyer as he was waiting to get into a lift to take him from the top of a stand down to pitch side.
The man allegedly aimed a head butt at Keane and hit the Irishman on the chest and chin, according to MailOnline.
However, the fan was prevented from inflicting serious physical damage on the Manchester United legend.
In footage taken by an onlooker a man wearing a suit is then seen trying to separate the pair before Keane shouts something inaudible.
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Cops confirmed they were investigating the “alleged assault” but said no arrests had been made.
Keane and Richards were reported to have been making their way to carry out their post-match duties for Sky Sports before the incident.
The duo was eventually escorted down to pitch side where they were able to continue their broadcast.
A spokesperson for Sky Sports said: “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.”
A Met Police spokesman confirmed the force has launched an investigation.
A statement 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.”
The off-pitch drama followed a pulsating 113 minute match riddled with VAR controversy as Arsenal beat Manchester United 3-1.
Ravaged by injuries, United took the lead through Marcus Rashford’s fine strike.
But Martin Odegaard immediately hit back with a clean low-driven finish.
Alejandro Garnacho thought he had won it for the Red Devils late into normal time but his strike was ruled out after he was adjudged to be offside by a hair.
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The match looked destined to end in a 1-1 draw before Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus scored for Arsenal deep in injury time.
Keane and Richards regularly work on Sky’s Super Sunday programme and will likely be back on TV screens together after the international break on September 17.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
