Tottenham fan banned by court for throwing banana skin

LONDON (AP) - A Tottenham fan has been banned from soccer games for four years for throwing a banana skin at an Arsenal player who is black.

Averof Panteli was found guilty of a “targeted gesture” aimed at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a “racial element.”

Aubameyang was celebrating scoring a goal in front of visiting Tottenham fans at Emirates Stadium on Dec. 2.

Panteli, who lives in Norwich, got a 4-year ban and was ordered to pay 635 pounds ($800) in fines and court costs. He pleaded guilty to throwing a missile but denied racist intent.

Tottenham imposed a lifetime ban on Panteli.

The incident renewed a debate about racism in English soccer.

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