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Mark Hughes has defended Emmanuel Adebayor as the Manchester City striker faced the prospect of being charged for stamping on Robin van Persie and antagonising Arsenal fans after he scored at Eastlands.
The Football Association are studying video footage of the challenge, which drew blood from the Arsenal forward, and are expected to charge Adebayor with violent conduct.
Angry Van Persie issued a statement on Saturday denying he had received an apology from his former team-mate and claimed the “mindless and malicious” challenge was deliberate.
But City boss Hughes has now contradicted those claims and said: “There has been much discussion over the weekend regarding the various incidents in the game which is understandable. Emmanuel sustained a tremendous amount of personal abuse from the kick-off but strongly maintains there was no malice intended in the challenge on Robin Van Persie and apologised to him when he hugged him on leaving the pitch at the end of the game.
“The referee had a great view of the challenge from Ade and the one that preceded it by Van Persie and deemed at the time neither were worthy of either a yellow or red card.”
Adebayor was booked by referee Mark Clattenburg for running the length of the pitch to celebrate his goal in front of Arsenal fans, who responded by throwing objects onto the pitch, one hitting a steward who was knocked unconscious.
Hughes added: “As for Ade's emotionally charged goal celebration, which has also prompted debate, there have been similar such celebrations in recent times.
“We expect high standards of behaviour from our players and it is easy in the cold light of day, when the adrenaline has died down, to talk about what players should and shouldn't do in that situation. Ade immediately apologised but we know the FA will be reviewing the matter.”
The FA will launch a full investigation this afternoon once Clattenburg has filed his report on the dramatic events during City's 4-2 victory.
The official is set to confirm he did not see the incident involving Van Persie, meaning Adebayor could be punished on a charge of violent conduct using video evidence. A further charge for his goal celebration could see Adebayor hit with a four-match ban but the striker sees no reason why he should face any penalty.
Adebayor said: “I don't know what I have done wrong to get banned. I have not heard the police or FA want to talk to me. The club have not said anything.
“I heard that a steward was injured when fans threw missiles and I regret that. I have apologised to Robin van Persie. It was silly to run up in front of the Arsenal fans. But these people have been insulting me all the game.
“I didn't plan it, not at all. I didn't even know that I would score. I'd like to apologise to the steward for what happened, why not?”
Reader views (33)
That was not an accident it was a blatant asault upon a fellow professional and he should be punished ..he is a disgrace
- Disgusted Of Tunbridge Wells, EDISON U.S.A.
What appears to have missed is that had it not been for the excellent reaction of the stewards there could have been far serious consequences had any of the mindless Arsenal thugs actually got onto the pitch. Well done to all the stewards involved and I hope the steward who was injured makes a full recovery with apologies made by both clubs in respect of the Arsenal supporters and the City player involved.
In respect of any bans then the matter should now be closed. What happened during the match should be dealt with by the officials during the match and not by television/media trial! If this is to be the norm then there will be players banned every week for every club in the Premiership.
- John, Manchester, England
Why are Arsenal fans always bitter and bad loosers. Oh now you are calling Mark Hughes a thug and want him sacked. Notice any coach that sets his team out to rough up the babies in N.London are enemies and therefore want them to fail. Same way they goaded Big Sam bcos his Bolton team always rough up the babies....
- Brian, London
It used to be a beautiful game!!
He is everything that is wrong with the typical modern footballer.
I may be a Spurs season ticket holder and maybe should enjoy what has happened to our neighbours but the big picture needs to be looked at. Trailer trash like him are killing the game.
- Paul, Enfield
Double standards and short memories.............
- Joss, Manila
It is about time Managers stopped this mindless support for players that have done wrong, irrespective of what they have said to the player in private. If they are not prepared to stand up for decency and fair play then they should maintain their silence. Such comments do nothing for the credibility of themselves or their clubs.
- Colin, Woking
I'm one of those rare Arsenal supporters that DIDN'T want Adebayor to leave us: I think despite his petulant and selfish attitude he's still a brilliant striker and has the potential to be one of the best in the world.
However, his actions at the weekend were unforgivable and I'm now glad he's gone.
The goal celebration was clearly premeditated and deserved a yellow, although I do think a ban for that would be harsh - I'm of the old fashioned view that if you can give abuse you have to be able to take it, (and visa-versa).
The stamp on van Persie on the other hand needs SEVERE punishment.
Yes van Persie's challenge was a tough one, as was Adebayor's hacking down of Fabregas from behind a little earlier, but there is a world of difference between tough (and sometimes mistimed) tackling and purposeful violence with intent.
From every angle you look at it, you can clearly see Ade staring straight down at van Persie as he aims a stamp to his head.
For any fan from any club that thinks that is somehow acceptable simply because you dislike Arsenal, imagine for a moment it's one of YOUR players getting purposely stamped in the face instead of van Persie - then see how you feel about it.
The stamp alone needs a minimum 5 match ban, and in all honesty a hell of a lot more.
- John, London
To those people criticising van Persie's celebration. Don't be so ridiculous!
van Persie simply reeled away from his finish and ran towards the sidelines to celebrate. Maybe he was shouting obscenities, but which player doesn't have a few choice words to say after scoring a goal?!
I couldn't begin to list the players who react with a bit of healthy swearing afer scoring, the list is that long! He didn't gesture at the crowd or do anything incendiary. And since 95% of the stadium is filled with City fans I don't think an opposition player can be criticised for celebrating in front of home fans! That's absurd!
van Persie shouldn't HAVE to celebrate in front of the away section. But Adebayor deliberately found the tiny away section, at the other end of the pitch, to celebrate in front of. The two instances don't compare and anybody who thinks they do must have only started watching football this weekend!
van Persie's celebration was normal fare from a player celebrating a goal away from home. Adebayor's celebration was excessive and inflammatory! Simple as that!
- Michael, London
How funny to hear Spurs fans on here saying the Arsenal fans are yobs and were out of order with their chanting! Strange, since wasn't it the Spurs fans who were abusing Sol Campbell with racist and homophobic chants not too long ago. Bunch of hypocrites!
And the City fans who are attacking the Arsenal fans over their behaviour may want to review their own reputation. Munich air crash chants anybody?!!!
Adebayor got grief from the Arsenal fans, as some ex-players do. If the chanting was racist or overly-abusive then it's out of order but let's not pretend Arsenal fans are the only ones who step over the mark.
And given the way Adebayor incited the fans before the match in interviews, during the match with his tackling and then finally with his celebration, is it any surprise the Arsenal fans reacted? The way he carried himself shows just what a contemptible character he is.
The Arsenal fans who threw things and injured a steward are morons, but I think Adebayor should be the one apologising to said steward because he should've known his actions would rile the unsavoury element in the crowd.
He went over the top and proved just how stupid he is by not understanding what he's done wrong, just as he doesn't understand why the Arsenal fans hate him! The guy is a poor ambassador for the game and deserves a lengthy ban.
- Steven, London
As a player Hughes was a thug, so its no surprise that he condones Adebayor's awful challenge. When Hughes gets the sack, I for one will celebrate. When Adebayor messes City about when they fail to win anything I will laugh.
- Timmy Doncs, Doncaster
Why should you have to be a fan of either club not to see that the kick was quite deliberate and that it was made by a thug and that the tackle on the assailant was also illegal but cannot be considered on the same scale.
- James Town, Braintree UK
Adebayor is a thug.If his foot went in inch left then Van Persie would have one eye less and an end to his career.how much this is worth under the ban rules of the FA? I hope the rest of the season.These kind of malicious actions need to be stamped completely out of the beautifull game
- Doukani, herts
I did not see him throw anything at the so called football fans,but YET AGAIN YOB SUPPORTERS threw items at the officials and players.Ban the supporters for life,they are a disgrace.For his reckless challenge,he deserves a ban.So called supporters in the UK cannot eccept losing,something needs to be done and soon.
- David, london
Yes what Abebuybuyor did was wrong,dull and stupid..there is no way anyone can run 100 yards too goad supporters without thinking and saying it was all too emotional..that is a load of rubbish big time.
he has no defence what so ever in his kick or stamp out on RVP, the ball was no where near..The only thing in his defence and the gooner supporters cannot deny this is that they goaded and sung or tried too sing disgusting tones abot him and his family,so if they can give it they should take it..they were also well beaten and their shortcomings are clear to see
- Jaso, HEMEL
Excellent move by Arsene Wenger to sell Adebayor to Man City, £25 million in the bank & the knowledge that its only a matter of time before this player causes serious problems to Man City, as he has to Arsenal & Togo. On his day he can be an excellent player, but unfortunately he has a most odd disposition. I would expect a ban of 3 matches for the challenge on Van Persie & an additional ban of 1 or 2 matches for inciting the Arsenal fans. In reality the disgusting challenge alone warrants a 10 match ban, as it was extremely dangerous. With Robinho & Tevez injured I am certain Man City must be delighted with Adebayor's idiotic performance, as well as in excess of £500,000 in wages down the drain whilst he is banned!
- Rob Gooner, North London
Think the points raised are mostly valid, but the microscope that football is under nowadays the FA is in an impossible situation as if it is seen to do nothing well this event on the weekend could be the start of a trend - think that any opposing player from any team should not ever be allowed to celebrate infront of the other teams fans after a goal, no matter what the situation, otherwise if we let players do it one time in the future alot worse could happen - whatever the fans were saying throughout the match he will get over it - just part and parcel of the game unfortunately so think Adebayor should just keep doing what he is doing scoring regular goals and doing the business at the right end of the pitch.
- Melly, Cartagena, Colombia
all these reports of adibayer saying this or that or thinking this or that and making them sound like halfway coherent musings ... are nonsense pie in the sky. have you heard him trying to put 2 words together? someone is ventriloquising the buerk. he has no idea about one behaviour from another. it's unfair to apply even the most basic standards of behaviour and any penalty will have to be relayed to him via words of half a syllable.
- Carl Halliday, gouvia, greece
Yes the stamp did look ugly and a 2/3 game ban is probably justified , BUT how about Mr Hypocrite himself , Van Persie ? He bleats that Ade was out to hurt him , well what about his own disgraceful leg breaker of a tackle ? if Ade hadn`t jumped out of the way he`d be in hospital now ! And on the celebration what about Van Persie running towards the City fans (and leaving the playing area , something Ade didn`t do) while screaming obsenities and making hand gestures , will the FA look at that ? Finally lets have the FA come down hard on the Arsenal fans for their Racist chanting and behaviour !
- Kevin Leather, Stockport , England
It is sad that some people who do not support Arsenal can be so tunnel-visioned in their perspective that they cannot see an atrocity as perpetrated by Adebayor on van Persie. How can anyone who loves football condone Adebayor's demeanor in that game? I will never defend an Arsenal player kicking Keane's head the way Adebayor did to van Persie. Hope he gets what the FA deems appropriate punishment.
- Sorie Kamara 'Kamsoman', LONDON, UK
Well said Scott - Woolwich fans seem to have conveniently forgotten about that incident. Van Persie - "the boy who cried wolf".
- Mark, Essex
BAN ADEBAYOR FOR 10 GAMES, is the least he should have for both offences.This person needs a lesson to respect others and not use them.
Arsenal should be releived they got rid of him because he was using them to get more money from other clubs.
As for the steward who was hit, that bottle was aimed at Arsenal supporters and unfortunately he was hit instead.
- A.Messina, Malta
It's clearly not appropriate for any player to score a goal and celebrate in such fashion in front of opposition supporters. It's incendiary and dangerous; as one steward found out. Footballers need to be professional and act sensibly, and Adebayor had around 30 seconds to realise what he was about to do was downright stupid yet still did it. Maybe a one match ban should suffice, and act as a reminder to other players not to do it.
As for the Van Persie incident, that was nasty. Van Persie slid in on him but nothing too malicious, Adebayor's reaction was downright disgusting. He should definitely get a 5 match ban for deliberately raking his studs down a players face - if that happened in any other sport he'd probably get a six month ban.
- James, London
What a load of fuss over nothing. If anyone should be charged it should be the idiotic Arsenal fans who thought it necessary to charge down 10 rows of seats to try and get on the pitch. Sure, let off steam at him but grow up. And what about Van Persie's reaction to his goal? He is quite clearly seen screaming obscenities at the City fans when celebrating his goal.
The most satisfying thing from a Man City fan's point of view is how the rest of the league are now running scared. The media were waiting for this team to fail yet they showed supreme counter attacking play to destroy Arsenal. They are getting better every game without hitting top form yet. You can ban our players but we've plenty more steadily forming an exceptionally solid side.
- City In The City, London
I'm an Arsenal fan, and agree Adebayor hasn't done himself any favours, however, football used to be a man's game and is still meant to be entertainment. By the time the whingers and clowns at the FA and FIFA get finished, it will be bland PC fodder with only robots left on the field. Let's keep something in the game to talk about.
- Paul, Stevenage, Herts
"Emmanuel Adebayor sees no reason why he should be punished by the FA for stamping on his former team-mate Robin van Persie and antagonising the Gunners fans" Hmmm! No! Can not find anything wrong either? So for all the stuff Arsenal have done in the past now they are all gentlemen? NOT!
They are Arsenal they deserve it.
- Colin Stevens, Farmington MI ,USA
10 match ban, anything less is a slap on the wrist.
- Rob, London
I find it strange Arsenal fans have forgotten Henry's celebrations in front of Spurs fans several years ago. At that time you all said every player has a right to celebrate wherever he likes on the pitch. So what's changed since then?
At the end of the day you got 25m for a player worth less than half that. I don't recall many of you complaining when he left, so why goad/taunt him and then act disgracefully when he celebrates.
You can't have it both ways.
- Scott, London
Daniel - it's just not rugger is it...
- Paul, Ealing
I am a Tottenham Hotspur supporter so cannot be considered neutral, but van Persie committed a vicious foul on Adebayor when he tackled him only minutes before. Any retaliation must be condemned, but the action of Adebayor should be seen in context.
As for his celebrations, these people had abused him and thrown banana's, a provocative act towards a black player and rightly condemned after the England-Spain game a few years ago.
I was disgusted by the Spurs "fans" who abused Sol Campbell after he joined Arsenal, so feel justified in saying the behaviour of the Arsenal fans should also be condemned, don't you think Arsene Wenger?
As for the steward being injured, objects were being thrown at Adebayor well before his celebration!
- Manny Goldstein, London, England
Everyone needs to calm down and leave this great player alone. With the celebration I would have done the same to these foul mouthed so called Arsenal fans if they abused me like they abused Adebayor. People are just jealous of the fact that he gets paid so much money. Well, no one mentions John Terry and Frank Lampard, who get paid much more than him. He has proved he's worth £25 million by scoring in every game in the premier league so far. The referee already gave him a yellow card so no ban necessary. FA should not have a trial by media.
- Ahmed, London
The FA needs to come down heavily on the Arsenal fans who hospitalised that Steward – appalling behaviour from some very petulant Arsenal supporters who are not coping with their team’s demise and think it’s okay to lash out at anyone who mocks them or, in this case, anyone who tries to stop them displaying their fury.
- St, London
He was doing his job scoring against the opposition.
Why should he take responsibility for the actions of hordes of drunk, angry vicious working class peoples behaviour.
Its only a game.
- Daniel, London
Ban him for several matches so others like him don't behave in this manner and cause mayhem at matches, thereby putting english football in the gutter again. This would only result in our national team and our fans been scapegoats owing to he who has nothing to do with our national team. Disgraceful man!
- Jonathan, Didsbury
