LONDON (AFP) - A Tottenham fan was fined on Tuesday (Dec 18) 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 Dec 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.
But magistrate Mervyn Mandell said: "We find it was a targeted gesture to throw a banana skin after a goal was scored by a black player. We have in the circumstances found the racial element was there."
Panteli was handed a four-year football banning order after pleading guilty to throwing a missile and was also fined £500 (S$800).
Leila Rasool, mitigating, said Panteli had been going to Tottenham games for 50 years without incident and was of "exemplary character" but had since been banned for life by the club.
She told the court: "It was a spur of the moment thing. He picked up the closest article to him and that happened to be a banana skin.
"He realised the grave error he had made. He has not been charged for any racially aggravated public order offence."
After the pulsating 4-2 derby win, Premier League joint topscorer Aubameyang posted a picture of himself on social media with the caption: "whysmandoingthis?" accompanied by a banana emoji.
The incident triggered a fresh debate about racism in football, with former Arsenal striker-turned-pundit Ian Wright saying it had "embarrassed" the Premier League.
Raheem Sterling was subsequently subjected to alleged racial abuse during Manchester City's defeat at Chelsea - the Stamford Bridge club banned four supporters pending an investigation.
Chelsea also condemned anti-Semitic chanting from some of their fans during last week's Europa League tie with Vidi in Budapest.
The Premier League called on supporters to back their teams in the right way and for fans to report any abuse.
"At times we played really good football but it can, and it must be, a lot better on Sunday," said Van Dijk. "There were times where we did not put enough pressure on them and were sloppy and lost the ball. "Against Germany we can expect a completely different game and we all realise that. We know what we are capable of."
Former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Spain star Jose Antonio Reyes has been killed in a car crash, his hometown club Sevilla said on Saturday. He was 35. Reyes, who shot to fame at Sevilla before a
Former Arsenal and Sevilla star Jose Antonio Reyes dies in
VALLETTA • Spain coach Luis Enrique put up a vigorous defence of Alvaro Morata after the striker was closely criticised over the weekend for one more wasteful show of their opening Euro 2020 qualifying win over Norway, insisting he had "his best match with us".
Football - Morata double gives Spain win over defensive Malta
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho embarrassingly slipped after presenting a symbolic face-off to a match in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on Monday. Videos of the 56-year-old boss falling on a red carpet on the ice rink in Balashikha appeared on social media after the accident.
Jose Mourinho ice hockey fall video, puck drop, Manchester
Football: After goalie Casillas' heart attack, wife Sara says she has had ovarian cancer op. Spanish keeper Iker Casillas (right) leaving CUF Porto hospital accompanied by his wife Sara Carbonero
After Casillas heart-attack, wife says she has had cancer op
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola predicts his side will "suffer" against fourth-tier Newport County in their FA Cup fifth round match on Saturday but has urged his players to adapt to a
Football: Guardiola expects Man City to suffer in tricky FA
Eriksen demands strong finish - theworldnews.net
Football: Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight في February 15, 2019 sport, BERLIN (REUTERS) - Premier League's Watford were made to sweat to beat humble Championship club Queens Park Rangers 1-0 on Friday (Feb 15) and book their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second time in four seasons.
Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight
Arsenal win in Napoli to reach Europa League semi-finals Alexandre Lacazette's free-kick secures victory on the night and a 3-0 aggregate win for the Gunners.
UPDATED: Arsenal beat Napoli to reach Europa League semi
Hope and Glory (DVD) : A nostalgic and gently comic remembrance of England during the turbulent Blitz as seen through the eyes of ten-year-old Billy Rohan. While the beauty of the aircraft and tanks holds endless wonders for the young boy, others know all too well the destruction they bring.
New Music CDs for Adults | The Seattle Public Library - spl.org
Solskjaer wants Man Utd 'enjoying football again' Tigres beat Leon to lift another Liga MX title but respect between fans was more notable than the game. - United appoint Solskjaer as
Solskjaer wants Man Utd 'enjoying football - africa.espn.com
Spurs' Hugo Lloris warns Arsenal are still title contenders warned Tottenham not to write rivals Arsenal out of the Premier League title race. but Lloris is right to warn against complacency.
Hugo Lloris warns Tottenham they must up their game against
Ali on target as Qatar stun Japan to win first Asian Cup - Daily Times Almoez Ali scored with a spectacular overhead kick for a record ninth goal of the Asian Cup to set Qatar on their way to a first continental title with a stunning 3- 1 win over four-times champions Japan on Friday.
Ali on target as Qatar stun Japan to win first Asian Cup
Liverpool could match Arsenal's Invincibles by going through a Premier League season without defeat, according to Unai Emery.. Jurgen Klopp's side reached the halfway stage of the campaign with a 4-0 Boxing Day defeat of Newcastle United at Anfield, a result that moved the Reds six points clear at the top of the table.
Liverpool v Arsenal: Reds can be Invincible says Unai Emery
Two goals from Romelu Lukaku helped Manchester United to a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was looking for a win that could have taken them fourth had it not been for Arsenal's
Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester United: Romelu Lukaku double
0 comments:
Post a Comment