Sky Sports will provide pundit Roy Keane with ‘protection’ this season following recent altercations with supporters at Premier League grounds.
The Manchester United legend will continue in his role with the broadcaster this term, despite earlier voicing concerns over continuing in punditry. It followed two high-profile clashes with supporters in recent years.
Last summer, an Arsenal fan was convicted of headbutting the former midfielder at the Emirates Stadium in September 2023.
Giving evidence in court, Keane admitting to be in a state of ‘shock’, adding: ‘I didn’t expect that to happen, not when I was in the workplace.’
Meanwhile, in November he furiously fired back at a fan who was abusing him and offered to continue their heated conversation in the ‘car park’ moments after Man United’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich at Portman Road.
‘It’s our responsibility at Sky to make sure that we don’t expose any of our team to those sorts of incidents,’ said Jonathan Licht, Sky Sports’ managing director.
‘It was those incidents that brought those comments from Roy.
‘There were conversations that we had immediately, but I think he was back with us following the weekend.
‘He loves being part of the big games and we hope that will continue long into the future.’
Last year, Keane stated his intention to leave the world of football punditry within the next 10 years, citing his bust-up with Gunners fans Scott Law, who was banned from watching football for three years after attacking the Irishman, among his reasons for stepping away.
‘I don’t think I’ll be doing punditry in 10 years’ time,’ he said on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet. ‘I love football but the hassle of matches, getting to games and the hassle of fans.
‘I was in court a few months ago with somebody headbutting me – do you think I enjoy that side of it? Absolutely not.
‘The games are fine. Getting to the games, parking up, people shouting your name – good stuff, bad stuff – it’s a nuisance.’
Sky’s director of football Gary Hughes added: ‘Roy’s a great guy and a brilliant team mate. You want him in your team.
‘He’s had a few incidents in the last couple of seasons with Arsenal and Ipswich and it does affect him. But ultimately, he wants to be involved in the biggest games. He loves working with us.
‘He wants to be at Old Trafford for Manchester United against Arsenal. We’re clearly not going to go into the details of any deal or any conversations over the summer, but we ended up with Roy again with us next season.
‘There’ll be more Roy next season. He’s an integral part of the team.’
The broadcaster is set to revolutionise their Premier League coverage this term , with NFL Red Zone-style action and fan analysis.
This week, Sky unveiled plans for the forthcoming campaign, in which it will screen 215 matches – up from 128 last season.
At times on Sundays this year, Sky will show four games at the same time via ‘Multiview’. Like the iconic American Football show, one presenting team will cover all four and will switch between games. Matches displaced by European competition will kick off at 2pm on Sunday.
And there will be a further new arrival in the shape of Fanalysis, where each Premier League club will be represented by one of their own supporters.
At the end of what the broadcaster is calling ‘supersized Super Sundays’, Jamie Carragher will front a reaction show called Extra Time.
