LONDON – An Arsenal fan has been banned three years from soccer matches for throwing a banana at Tottenham forward Gareth Bale.
Thomas Flint was accused by a judge of "disgraceful behavior" for hurling the fruit at Bale, who is white, as he took a corner kick. Flint also swore 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 soccer "to boil over into hostility for a single player and the opposing team. It could have boiled over into violence."
Flint was also fined $385.
Arsenal previously said it would ban for life the fan found guilty of the offense.
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