Arsenal fan slapped with ban

London - An Arsenal supporter has been banned from attending football matches for three years after admitting to throwing a banana at Tottenham forward Gareth Bale during a north London derby.

Thomas Flint was accused by a judge of "disgraceful behaviour" for hurling the fruit at Bale, who is white, as he took a corner, and swearing 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 football "to boil over into hostility for a single player and the opposing team . it could have boiled over into violence."

Flint was also fined 250 pounds ($385).

Arsenal previously said it would ban for life the fan found guilty of the offence.