Daily Mail

I’M NO RACIST

Says fan who threw banana at Arsenal ace

- By ANDREW YOUNG

THE Tottenham supporter charged with throwing a banana skin at Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has insisted he is not a racist. Averof Panteli, 57, a van driver from Norwich, claimed he found the banana skin on the ground at the Emirates Stadium and hurled it without thinking of the racial implicatio­ns. The incident happened after Aubameyang’s 10th-minute penalty gave Arsenal a 1-0 lead in Sunday’s north London derby. Father-of-three Panteli claimed he reacted because he thought Aubameyang goaded the visiting Spurs fans as he celebrated his goal. He said: ‘I am not racist whatsoever. I am actually a Greek Cypriot. I am 100 per cent not a racist. I swear on my kids’ lives that I

 ?? GETTY IMAGES PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: GRAHAM CHADWICK ?? Charged: Panteli is led away after throwing the banana skin
GETTY IMAGES PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: GRAHAM CHADWICK Charged: Panteli is led away after throwing the banana skin

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