Tommy Tainant
Diamond Member
Tottenham fan fined for throwing banana skin at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
A Tottenham fan has been fined after throwing a banana skin at a black Arsenal footballer in a "targeted gesture" which had a "racial element".
Averof Panteli admitted hurling the item onto the pitch at the Emirates Stadium after Arsenal's Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored and celebrated in front of Spurs' travelling support on December 2.
The van driver, 57, said he threw the skin in a "spur of the moment" action but strongly denied there was any racist intent, Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court heard on Tuesday.
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."
So this twat picked up a banning order and a £500 fine. I have known lads get bigger punishments for drinking alcohol on the bus to a game. We have come a long way but unlss the courts take these offences seriously we will never wipe it out.
A Tottenham fan has been fined after throwing a banana skin at a black Arsenal footballer in a "targeted gesture" which had a "racial element".
Averof Panteli admitted hurling the item onto the pitch at the Emirates Stadium after Arsenal's Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored and celebrated in front of Spurs' travelling support on December 2.
The van driver, 57, said he threw the skin in a "spur of the moment" action but strongly denied there was any racist intent, Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court heard on Tuesday.
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."
So this twat picked up a banning order and a £500 fine. I have known lads get bigger punishments for drinking alcohol on the bus to a game. We have come a long way but unlss the courts take these offences seriously we will never wipe it out.
