Micah Richards "grappled with" and "tried to restrain" a man who is accused of headbutting his punditry partner Roy Keane, the former Manchester City footballer has told a court.
Mr Richards told Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on Friday morning that he was in "disbelief" about the incident, adding that he "felt sorry" for the former United midfielder Keane, who he described as a friend. "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."
"He was cool, he was calm in this situation" he continued. "I felt a little bit sorry for him because we've had incidents at stadiums where fans might give you a little shove or use words." Defence barrister Charles Sherrard KC alleged Mr 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."