Explainers

ARSENAL’S victory over Manchester United during their Premier League clash has been overshadowed by antics off the pitch. Footage emerged that allegedly showed pundit Roy Keane being headbutted by a Gunners supporter inside the Emirates Stadium.
Scott Law, 42, allegedly headbutted Roy Keane at the Emirates Stadium
Who is Scott Law?
Scott Law, 42, is a married dad-of-two named locally as the fan at the centre of the incident that unfolded in the West Stand on Sunday, September 3, 2023.
He was arrested on suspicion of assault (ABH) the following day and was taken into custody, the Met Police said.
The Arsenal fan, who is a £2,500 hospitality season ticket holder, was bailed a few hours later.
Law, of Waltham Abbey, Essex, is alleged to have been involved in the dramatic altercation with Keane.
READ MORE ON ROY KEANE
Football officials are understood to have identified him as being involved in the incident through electronic ticket purchases.
What happened with Roy Keane?
Shocking footage emerged appearing to show the aftermath of a scuffle involving Roy Keane and Law inside the stadium.
It appears to show the pundit’s Sky Sports colleague Micah Richards pinning a fan against a wall as he intervened.
The former footballers had been waiting for a lift at the top of the West Stand in the final minutes of the match when the incident occurred.
Most read in Football
Keane and Richards were making their way from a studio down to the pitchside for a post-game discussion as part of Sky Sports’ coverage.
The pair then tried to race back to the studio after Alejandro Garnacho scored what he thought to be United’s winner, before the goal was ruled out by VAR for an offside.
A man, which witnesses claim was Law, is then alleged to have confronted Keane before launching a bungled headbutt.
Friends of the football fan claimed that the Man United legend had been hurling abuse at Arsenal supporters below.
The headbutt is said to have hit Keane in the shoulder, with the impact breaking Law’s nose.
Hardman Keane was unhurt but “a bit shaken”.
His colleague Richards stepped in to defuse the scuffle and appeared to grab the football fan by the collar.
Both the pundits were eventually escorted down to the pitch, where they continued their broadcast alongside ex-Arsenal winger Theo Walcott and presenter Dave Jones.
What has been said about the Scott Law incident with Roy Keane?
Micah Richards briefly touched on the incident while he recorded The Rest is Football podcast with Match of the Day’s Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer on Sunday.
Lineker asked: “One of us had an interesting weekend, Micah, you were in the news?”
Richards responded: “Oh my word. Gary, I’m not allowed to talk about it.” Lineker then clarified: “Because it’s under police investigation?”
Richards confirmed that, stating: “Exactly, but when I am allowed to talk about it, The Rest Is Football will get it first.”
Shearer said: “I think the common opinion is don’t f*** with Big Meeks (Richards)!”
Referring to the US law about the right to remain silent, Richards replied: “No comment. I plead the Fifth (Amendment)!”
Lineker wrapped up the discussion by adding: “It is not something we should trivialise because it is a serious matter and we will wait until the police investigation is done until we discuss that story further.”
Arsenal released a statement regarding the incident.
The 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 co-operating with their inquiries.”
Manchester United did not wish to comment. Sky Sports confirmed: “Micah Richards was acting to defuse a situation.”
The Met said: “Police are investigating an incident at Emirates Stadium on Sunday September 3, during which a man was assaulted.
“On Monday September 4, a 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault (ABH).
“The man has been taken into custody. Inquiries are ongoing.”
What punishment could Scott Law face?
Law could be slapped with a prison sentence or a hefty fine if he faced charges.
Actual bodily harm is a criminal offence under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
Read More on The Sun
Assaults which are described as actual bodily harm cause injuries which are serious but don’t cause serious permanent damage to the victim.
ABH carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or an unlimited fine not exceeding the statutory maximum. More