‘I scored one of Prem’s best goals – four years later I faced prison sentence’

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    You may struggle to remember Pajtim Kasami – but you probably haven't forgotten his Premier League wondergoal.

    It was a strike so exceptional, that his Fulham team-mate Steve Sidwell also stuck a magnificent half-volley into the top corner from 25-yards-out in the very same game, but it barely registered in comparison. The year is 2013 and Crystal Palace are hosting Fulham at Selhurst Park that October. An over-hit pass from Fulham ace Sascha Riether is controlled by Kasami on the right flank, nearly 40-yards from goal.

    The Swiss midfielder looked to be heading for the stands when he chested the ball into the air on the run. But with one magical swish of his right boot, the ball flew across goal and into the top left hand corner. Yet just four years after that magnificent moment, Kasami was handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence.

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    Kasami and his then manager at Greek giants Olympiacos, Vitor Pereira, were both given an eight-month suspended prison sentence (on parole) for offensively provoking the supporters of AEK Athens in a tense Greek Cup quarter final clash in the 2014-15 season.

    After scoring the winning goal, Kasami gestured towards the AEK Athens fans, who then went on to storm the football pitch. Initially, he was fined 7,000 euros, but a supporter of AEK Athens filed a further lawsuit against Kasami and Pereira. Incredibly, the Greek justice system upheld the complaint and handed both an eight-month prison sentence (on parole).

    What other incredible wonder goals have you seen in the Premier League? Let us know in the comments-section below

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    He did not spend much, if any, time inside a prison cell over the course of this sentence. In fact, he was loaned to Nottingham Forest for the 2016-17 season, before eventually moving permanently to FC Sion.

    Kasami is now playing for Serie B side Sampdoria. While a long time has passed, he still remembers his goal at Selhurst Park in a magnificent 4-1 victory.

    “I saw Sascha Riether had the ball and I saw the space which the coach always told me to attack if the full-back had the ball,” he said to the Premier League. “I attacked the space, he chipped the ball perfectly.

    “I took it on my chest and then on my right foot, and unbelievably it went directly in the top corner on the left side.”

    • Premier League
    • Fulham FC
    • Champions League

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