Neymar race row is over

A GERMAN teenager was responsible for the banana-throwing incident during Scotland's friendly with Brazil at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Arsenal have revealed.

Brazil forward Neymar, who scored both goals in his side's 2-0 win, complained after the match that he had been the victim of racist abuse, a claim strenuously denied by the Scottish Football Association and the Tartan Army fans' organisation.

An Arsenal statement read: "After consultation with the Metropolitan Police, Arsenal Football Club can confirm that a German teenage tourist has admitted throwing a banana onto the pitch during the Brazil v Scotland international friendly at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday."

The result was overshadowed by the post-match comments of 19-year-old Santos striker Neymar. "The entire stadium was jeering. This atmosphere of racism is totally sad," he said at the time. "We leave our country to play here and something like this happens."

His claims were swiftly denied by Tartan Army spokesman Hamish Husband.

The SFA subsequently contacted the Brazilian Football Federation and the match organisers, Kentaro, to inform them of the Scotland supporters' unhappiness at the unfounded accusations and Neymar has since decided to drop his complaint.