Scott Law, 43, is on trial for allegedly assaulting Keane in the corridors of the Emirates Stadium, in the closing stages of United's Premier League clash with Arsenal in September last year.
It is said Law rushed to confront Keane after a last-minute VAR decision went in Arsenal's favour, and allegedly knocked the former Ireland international backwards through a set of doors with a headbutt.
But Law says he was rushing to the toilet instead, and only used his head in self-defence when Keane came at him, repeatedly calling him a "fatty".
He says Keane's fearsome reputation as a violent "hard man" meant, in that moment, he feared attack from the Sky Sports pundit.
The chaotic aftermath of the alleged headbutt was caught on camera, showing Law walking away from Keane and his fellow Sky pundit Micah Richards.
Law's legal team have enhanced the CCTV footage and presented a slow motion clip to the trial, arguing it shows Keane throwing an "upper cut elbow" at Law's nose.
This story is from the May 30, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.
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This story is from the May 30, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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