Richards and Keane had been integral members of Sky Sports’ punditry ensemble for the Arsenal versus Manchester United clash on Sunday, which took place at the Emirates Stadium in North London.
The Sky Sports pundits, Micah Richards and Roy Keane, found themselves in a heated exchange with a passionate fan during Arsenal’s showdown with Manchester United on Sunday. This incident has prompted law enforcement to initiate an investigation into a reported assault.
Roy Keane approaches the man during the incident
Micah Richards, a former England and Manchester City defender, was fulfilling his role as a studio pundit for Sky Sports at the Emirates Stadium. He was joined by Roy Keane and Theo Walcott in providing analysis and commentary for the game.
Video footage surfaced on Sunday night on social media, seemingly capturing Micah Richards engaged in a conversation with a man while firmly gripping the front of the man’s shirt with both hands, all the while being observed by a young woman.
A man dressed in a suit is then seen attempting to intervene and separate the two individuals, just before Roy Keane steps in and also seems to grasp the man’s shirt. The exact timing of this incident remains unclear, although both former players appear to be in the same attire they wore during Sky’s Super Sunday program.
Richards, sporting a black backpack, and Keane, 52, holding a jacket, were both visible during the incident. It’s worth noting that they had been on-air until 7:30 pm in North London on Sunday evening, as Sky’s coverage concluded.
A statement from the Metropolitan Police has confirmed the launch of an investigation into the alleged assault at the Emirates Stadium during the Arsenal vs. Manchester United match on Sunday, 3rd September. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.
A spokesperson for Sky Sports informed Mirror Football, “We are aware that the police are investigating an alleged assault by a member of the public that occurred immediately before the footage circulating on social media. In the footage that has been observed, Micah Richards appears to be taking action to de-escalate the situation.”
Keane and Richards speak to Declan Rice after the match
Micah Richards, aged 35, retired from professional football in 2019, following stints with clubs such as Manchester City, Fiorentina, and Aston Villa, subsequently establishing a prosperous career in punditry.
In addition to his responsibilities with Sky Sports, Micah Richards has a prominent presence on BBC’s Match of the Day, where he frequently collaborates with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer. Furthermore, he has ventured into podcasting with a new show titled “The Rest Is Football,” where he provides insights and discussions on the beautiful game. Additionally, Richards assumes the role of a team captain on Sky’s panel show “A League of Their Own,” sharing the spotlight with Jamie Redknapp.
Interestingly, Micah Richards and former Manchester United captain Roy Keane have developed an unexpected camaraderie off the pitch. They’ve embarked on several travel adventures together, which have been documented in a series of Sky spin-off shows, offering fans a unique glimpse into their experiences.
The legendary Roy Keane made his entrance into Sky Sports in 2019 and has consistently impressed viewers with his direct and uncompromising style of punditry. Additionally, he has been a fixture during live matches for ITV, especially during recent international tournaments.
Keane and Micah Richards are a frequent duo on Sky’s Super Sunday program, and fans can look forward to seeing them back on their television screens following the international break on September 17. On that day, Bournemouth will take on Chelsea, while Arsenal will travel to Everton.
In the match at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal emerged victorious with a 3-1 win, thanks to two late goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus. This victory propelled Arsenal into fifth place in the Premier League standings. Marcus Rashford had opened the scoring for Manchester United in the first half, but Arsenal’s captain, Martin Odegaard, swiftly leveled the score.
