The Tottenham supporter, who was heard by the police for throwing a banana peel Sunday at Arsenal's Gabonese striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang, was a sign of contrition and vowed that he was "not a racist from everything ", reports Tuesday the British tabloid The Sun. Explaining his gesture with frustration, throwing the first thing he had on hand, without thinking.
The incident occurred in the London derby between the "Gunners" and "Spurs" Tottenham, won by Arsenal 4-2 at the Emirates Stadium. After opening the scoring on a penalty, "Aubame" celebrated his goal in front of the opposing supporters, before a banana peel fell before him.
"Without thinking, I picked up this banana peel"
"I'm not racist at all. I am even Cypriot. I am 100% not racist, " said Averof Panteli, a 57-year-old grandfather who advocated to the Sun as an immigrant. "I swear on the life of my children that I'm not that kind of guy. "
Premier League
When Pierre-Emerick #Aubameyang capsizes the whole Emirates Stadium except for a part ... #ARSTOT
https://t.co/lB0e42CsCo pic.twitter.com/MxNd8DfuFy
The police did not retain the racist character of the gesture
Sending banana skins to black players is a classic move by the ultra-fascists in Europe, which often accompanies it with cries of monkey. The club of Tottenham for its part judged this behavior "completely unacceptable And decided to ban the supporter for life.
Averof Panteli justifies himself: "The Arsenal player exulted [...], nodded and applauded us on the nose. Without thinking, I picked up this banana skin on the ground and threw it on the edge of the ground. I did not throw it to the players. "
"I do not endorse what I did and I regret it already. I phoned Tottenham to apologize, " he added.
Formally, the supporter is charged with projectile and ensures that the police, meanwhile, not retained the racist character in this case. On December 18, in court, he will plead guilty.