Micah Richards’ close bond with Roy Keane came to the fore again this weekend after the former Man City defender defended his fellow pundit after allegedly being assaulted by a fan at the Emirates Stadium.
Richards was seen grappling with the man to restrain him after he was accused of aiming a headbutt at Keane, before security guards arrived.
Richards and Keane are known for having heated debates and hilarious banter back and forth while appearing on Sky for the biggest games, but off screen they share a close relationship that has enthralled fans for the last few years.
While Richards usually cannot resist winding Keane up in the studio every weekend, during Arsenal‘s 3-1 win over Manchester United this weekend he came to the rescue as he intervened after the supporter confronted his colleague.
Richards attempted to diffuse the situation after the individual allegedly hit the Irishman on the chest and chin.
On Monday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that a man, 42, has been arrested on suspicion of assault.
Confirming the incident, Sky said: ‘We understand the police are investigating an alleged assault by a member of the public immediately preceding the footage circulating on social media.
In the footage seen, Micah Richards was acting to defuse a situation.’
After the latest act of affection from Richards towards Keane, Mail Sport takes a look through the pair’s bromance and light-hearted moments.
Richards was ‘starstruck’ by Keane
Speaking about his relationship with Keane last summer, Richards candidly admitted he was starstruck by his colleague and was not worthy of sitting alongside him.
‘I don’t really get starstruck,’ he told the Athletic. ‘I did with (Patrick) Vieira when he came to Man City and working with Thierry Henry on CBS, but Roy… he’s a Manchester United captain, a legend, and with the greatest respect to me, I shouldn’t even be allowed to sit next to him.’
Richards explained that Keane is not the angry and miserable character he is sometimes made out to be while furiously slamming teams on Sky and insisted he had brought out a new side to him.
‘Roy is everything I didn’t expect him to be,’ he added. ‘It’s hard to explain without going over the top, but there’s this perception that he’s an angry, old… but he’s the nicest, most considerate guy. And on the other hand, I think I’ve helped bring out a side of him that a lot of people wouldn’t see. And I take great pride in that.
‘I know I sometimes go a bit over the top in terms of getting reactions, but I love working with him.
Richards admitted to feeling starstruck by Keane last year and felt he was not worthy of sitting alongside him in the studio
‘It’s almost awkward because Roy Keane has asked me to go for a coffee, you know what I mean? He’s one of the nicest people I’ve met in broadcasting. He’s a diamond, he really is.’
Scotland here we come!
In March 2021, following the exit of Celtic boss Neil Lennon, former Hoops player Roy Keane emerged as one of the leading contenders to take the role.
John Kennedy ended up taking the post until the end of the 2020-21 season before Ange Postecoglou became permanent boss that summer, but that didn’t stop Richards from latching onto the rumours with delight.
He suggested he would be joining Keane in Glasgow as his assistant manager after seeing a story on social media claiming the Man United legend was in line for the job and claimed he had his ‘bags packed’ to travel up north with him.
‘I’ve just packed my bags!!! Scotland here we come!’ he wrote on Twitter.
