SANTIAGO • A player from Chilean top-flight side Audax Italiano has apologised after being arrested for kicking a spectator on Saturday.

In scenes reminiscent of former Manchester United player Eric Cantona's infamous gongfu kick at Crystal Palace in 1995, Argentinian forward Sebastian Pol climbed onto a fence surrounding the pitch at Catolica's San Carlos de Apoquindo stadium and landed a kick on the supporter's chest after the match.

He was detained overnight by police after his team's 1-4 loss at Universidad Catolica.

Television pictures showed the 28-year-old's attack on Cristobal Aztorquiza, who was knocked backwards but did not fall over.

"I'm really full of regret for this," Pol told reporters at the police station, adding that the fan had insulted him. "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."

Aztorquiza said: "He kicked me in the face. He climbed onto the railings and attacked me. I'm going to file a formal complaint."

Chilean media said that Pol would face charges under legislation relating to violence in sports stadiums. He could face two years in prison and a lengthy playing ban.

Pol, who has played for clubs in Costa Rica, Romania and Bolivia and has been at Audax since 2014, was provisionally banned from attending any sports events for 20 days and also faces disciplinary action from the Chilean league.

REUTERS