Sky Sports will not increase security for its pundits following Roy Keane's altercation with a fan on Sunday.
The former Manchester United captain offered to meet an Ipswich supporter who barracked him in the car park after his former side's 1-1 draw at Portman Road.
Keane, a former Ipswich manager, confronted the supporter during an ad break in Sky's coverage before being led away by fellow pundit Jamie Redknapp and a member of the broadcaster's production team.
However, Mail Sport understands that Sky are happy with the protection afforded to Keane and co and have no plans to change their existing setup.
As this newspaper revealed last year, bodyguards have been deployed for certain matches after Keane was headbutted in a catering area at Arsenal. The Republic of Ireland international was confronted by a man at the top of the West Stand at the Emirates as he waited for a lift to take him onto the pitch.
Sky conducts a risk assessment before every match and for those deemed high risk, security staff escort experts through public areas. When it comes to abuse from the stands, there is little they can do and experts in certain areas are known to expect a torrid time.
This weekend Sky will film the match between Liverpool and Manchester City. It is expected that the match will be considered sufficiently risky to ensure that their line-up receives a high level of protection. Keane and Gary Neville both played for United, Liverpool's main rivals, while there is no love lost for the pair under City's support.
Keane was spoken to by Sky after the incident in Suffolk, with versions of events from the rest of their line-up including Redknapp, Kelly Cates and Izzy Christiansen. The broadcaster declined to comment further on those conversations, although it is understood they sympathize with the position he found himself in. The decision to field Keane at a club where he spent almost two largely unhappy years before being sacked may well have been seen as unwise.
Witnesses say Keane was the target of persistent abuse by a group of home fans who 'consistently crossed the line'.
One fan, Neil Finbow, has posted on social media about his “new claim to fame,” bragging that he was “offered up in the parking lot by Roy Keane after a few choice words.”
When asked what sparked the confrontation, Finbow proudly stated that he was criticizing Keane over his failure at Ipswich and other issues such as his infamous tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland.
“I reminded him that he set us up [Ipswich] five years ago and ruined our football club,” Finbow said. 'He also said he wasn't fit to go out [sic] foot somewhere near our ground.”
The Ipswich fan also said he was referring to Keane's departure from the Ireland camp during the 2002 World Cup.
“I hate that guy and it's been boiling ever since he was sacked all those years ago,” he added for good measure, although he later claimed to Mail Sport that he “never got personal” and had only said: “You're a better expert than you are as a manager.”
It seems that such incidents are increasing in the digital age, when large segments of the population crave the forefront of attention.
Neville is a regular target for idiots and has drinks thrown over him outside the Etihad Stadium. Social media is often a cesspool of vile views, much of which is aimed at female experts.
If the nation wants to keep these people entertained, perhaps there needs to be a conversation about a collective death blow.
When asked if he could see himself continuing for another ten years, Keane recently said: 'I'm going to have a hard time doing this for the next ten months. I love football, but the hassle of matches, going to matches and the fuss of fans… A few months ago I was standing in court while someone headbutted me.
“Do you think I like that side of it? Absolutely not. The games are fine [but] going to the games, parking, people calling your name, good things, bad things, it's annoying. Be an expert in 10 years? No.'
Following that incident, Scott Law, 43, of Waltham Abbey Essex, was given a three-year ban in the Emirates and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work in what the court heard was a 'needless and senseless act of violence'. after Arsenal's 3-1 win over United.
Keane walked around the stadium with Micah Richards as the pair attempted to take their positions for post-match analysis. Testifying in court, the 53-year-old said: 'We missed the last two goals but that was the least of my worries.'
He added: 'There was a bit of confusion, lots of people, lots of noise, shouting, as you would expect with five to 10 minutes to go in the football match. Before I knew it, I was hit. I just felt the contact and I fell back through a number of doors.
“The only way I can describe it is, without a doubt, shocked. I didn't expect this to happen, even when I was on the work floor.'
Keane's point is valid. For him, Neville and the rest, the football field or the studio is the workplace.
“Do your job,” Keane often says. He should not be abused for doing his part.
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