Micah Richards has told a court that former Manchester United Roy Keane stayed “cool” and “calm” after allegedly being assaulted, despite his “hardman persona”.
Former footballer Richards told Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Friday that he “grappled” with a man accused of headbutting Keane, 52, inside Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in September.
Scott Law, 43, from Waltham Abbey in Essex, denies alleged common assaulton the former Manchester United star, following Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over United.
Ex-Manchester City star Richards, 35, who, like Keane, was working as a pundit for Sky Sports at the Premier League match, said he was in “disbelief” about the incident and “felt sorry for Roy”, whom he called 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”.
Richards said: “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.”
He added: “It was a surreal moment. We weren’t going to a UFC match. We were at work.”
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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, Richards said: “I grappled with the gentleman for a while.
“I believe I was saying to him: ‘What have you done that for?’
“I sort of grabbed him and pushed him towards further out of the corridor. I was basically trying to restrain him until security could deal with the matter.”
Richards said his Sky Sports colleague was “cool” and “calm” in the aftermath of the incident.
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He added: “I know he’s got this persona of being the hardman, but my relationship with Roy – we get on so well because he’s such a great guy.
“He was cool, he was calm in this situation”.
Defence barrister Charles Sherrard KC alleged Richards had not seen any headbutt and had instead claimed to see it as “Roy’s mate” and his “puppy”, adding: “You have become Roy Keane’s stooge.”
Mr Richards, who smiled as he entered the court, replied: “Strongly disagree.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Timesthe properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
TV presenter Katie Piper has revealed her decision to get an artificial eye, 16 years after an acid attack that left her with life-changing injuries and partial blindness.
The Loose Women panellist, 41, is an advocate for those with burns and disfigurement injuries.
She shared a video of her being fitted with the prosthetic on Instagram.
Piper said: “After many years battling with my eye health, I’ve reached the end of the road somewhat, and the decision has been made to try a prosthetic eye shell.
“This marks the start of a journey to have an artificial eye, with an incredible medical team behind me.
“As always I’m incredibly grateful to all those in the NHS and private health care system for their talent and kindness.
“I will share my journey, I’m hopeful and nervous about being able to tolerate it and would love to hear from any of you in the comments if you’ve been on this journey or have any advice.”
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Commenting on the post, presenter Lisa Snowdon said Piper was a “warrior” and a “true inspiration”.
Piper has undergone hundreds of operations after suffering an acid attack arranged by her ex-boyfriend in March 2008.
She gave up her right to anonymity and made a documentary in 2009 called Katie: My Beautiful Face.
Piper also founded the Katie Piper Foundation which supports survivors of life-changing burns and scars, and has received an honorary doctorate from the Royal College of Surgeons to mark her ground-breaking work.
She was made an OBE in 2021 for her services to charity and burn victims.