No Adebayor appeal over charge

Adebayor had until 6pm Wednesday to respond to the charge and in accepting it, has effectively condemned himself to a three-match ban.

The FA's disciplinary panel will formally sit in judgement on Thursday. But the punishment for such offences is automatic and it seems unlikely there will be any change in that stance.

City knew there was little point in contesting the case once referee Mark Clattenburg confirmed he would have sent Adebayor off if he had seen the Manchester City forward's challenge on Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman sustained a cut to the head and launched a fierce attack on his former team-mate, who he claimed had acted in a "malicious" manner.

Arsene Wenger weighed into the debate as well, and with wider opinion lined up against him, it was futile for Adebayor to take the matter further.

City have another few days before they decide whether to contest the improper conduct charge brought against Adebayor for his ill-advised goal celebration in front of the Gunners' supporters at Eastlands.

Although Manchester United's Gary Neville was fined £5,000 for a similar offence in a match against Liverpool at Old Trafford in 2003, the FA do have the power to suspend players for such behaviour.

And, as both Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore and FA counterpart Ian Watmore have both spoken out against the reaction, which left the Greater Manchester Police fuming, leniency cannot be guaranteed.