London — A Tottenham fan was fined on Tuesday for throwing a banana skin at Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after a court ruled it was a targeted incident with a “racial element”.
Averof Panteli admitted hurling the item onto the pitch at the Emirates Stadium after the Gabon striker scored and celebrated in front of Spurs’ travelling support on December 2.
The 57-year-old van driver said he threw the banana skin in a “spur of the moment” action but strongly denied there was any racist intent, a magistrates’ court in London heard.
Panteli was handed a four-year football banning order after pleading guilty to throwing a missile and was also fined £500.
— AFP.



