Arsenal fan banned for throwing banana at Gareth Bale
Thomas Flint was accused by a judge of "disgraceful behavior" for hurling the fruit at Bale during the Premier League match at White Hart Lane on March 3.
- Associated Press
- Updated: April 12, 2013 05:35 pm IST
An Arsenal supporter has been banned from attending football matches for three years after admitting to throwing a banana at Tottenham forward Gareth Bale during a north London derby.
Thomas Flint was accused by a judge of "disgraceful behavior" for hurling the fruit at Bale, who is white, as he took a corner, and swearing at Tottenham fans during the Premier League match at White Hart Lane on March 3.
District Judge Rebecca Crane told Flint at a magistrates' court on Friday that he allowed his passion for football "to boil over into hostility for a single player and the opposing team. It could have boiled over into violence."
Flint was also fined 250 pounds ($385).
Arsenal previously said it would ban for life the fan found guilty of the offense.