Football fan charged with throwing missile at Spurs v Arsenal match

A FOOTBALL fan is due to appear in court tomorrow charged with throwing a banana on to the pitch at the north London derby earlier this month.

Thomas Flint, 23, from Brantwood Gardens, Oakwood, will appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on April 12 charged with throwing a missile at a football match.

He is accused of throwing a banana on to the pitch at White Hart Lane as Tottenham’s Gareth Bale took a corner at the match between Spurs and their north London rivals Arsenal on March 3. The incident is not thought to be racially motivated.

The carpenter has also been charged with the public order offence of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour or words likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

A spokesman from Arsenal Football Club has confirmed the man will be banned for life from matches if he is found guilty.

Spurs finished the match with a 2-1 victory over the Gunners, with Gareth Bale opening the scoring for the home side.

Enfield Today