Arsenal vow to ban fan who threw banana at Gareth Bale

Tottenham winger was targeted during north London derby

Arsenal have vowed to ban for life the fan who threw a banana at Gareth Bale yesterday.

Police confirmed today that they had launched an investigation after an Arsenal supporter threw a banana at Bale as he went to take a corner in the 27th minute of yesterday's north London derby at White Hart Lane.

The Police are examining CCTV footage to see if they can identify the person who aimed the fruit at the Tottenham star. Spurs have also agreed to help the police with their enquiries.

Bale is sometimes targeted by opposing fans, who often chant that the player "looks like a chimp".

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police are investigating after a banana was thrown on to the pitch from the away section of supporters during the Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal match at White Hart Lane on Sunday March 3rd. There have been no arrests. Enquiries continue to try to identify the suspect."

Arsenal and Spurs both warned before the match no anti-social behaviour would be tolerated at what is one of the most heated fixtures in the English football calendar.

Arsenal say they operate a zero-tolerance policy towards any such act, and will therefore ban anyone who is found guilty of throwing the banana.

Another point of controversy in yesterday's game came when Emmanuel Adebayor was briefly taunted about the deadly gun attack he survived in Angola.

PA