Audax Italiano striker Sebastian Pol was arrested on Saturday after going into the crowd and kicking a fan who made some remarks following his club's 4-1 loss to Universidad Catolica. Pol claims that the spectator insulted him, leading to the 28-year-old climbing a fence near the team dugout, and swiping at the fan's arm with his right foot.
Following his arrest, Pol issued an apology to the fan, insisting that his primary intent was to "frighten" the heckler. “I’m really full of regret for this,” he told reporters at the police station, according to The Guardian. “I apologise to him profusely. I didn’t mean to strike him, I just wanted to frighten him. It’s something new that life has taught me.”
Under a new law proposed by the Chilean Football Association last year, which focuses on eradicating fan violence, Pol could face up to two years in prison, if convicted. In the meantime, a provisional ban has been placed on him, forbidding him from attending any sports events for 20 days. He must now await further disciplinary action from the Chilean league.
This altercation involving Pol is somewhat similar to the 1995 incident where then-Manchester United striker Eric Cantona kicked a Crystal Palace fan after getting sent off by a referee.
Cantona was banned by his club for the remainder of the season, and fined £20,000. Following an initial two-week prison sentence, his punishment was reduced to 120 hours of community service.
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