Morning:
14°c
Emmanuel Adebayor's regret over Robin van Persie stamp
Graham Hunter06.10.09
Emmanuel Adebayor has finally admitted that his stamp on Arsenal star Robin van Persie's face that earned him a three-match ban was unacceptable and says he now regrets his actions.
The former Gunners star, who made his comeback in Manchester City's 1-1 draw at Aston Villa last night, has always claimed that he went for the ball and did not intend to rake his studs down the side of the Arsenal player's face.
He now says that stamping on the Dutchman's head during last month's game at Eastlands was wrong. He said: "It's one of the things that you can't do in football. That's for sure. It's true that if someone did that to me it would annoy and hurt me. I regret it, for sure."
Van Persie said he did not expect an apology from his former team-mate and Adebayor stopped short of actually saying sorry and in an interview with French television he went on to claim that Arsene Wenger told him to leave Arsenal because the club couldn't afford to give him a salary increase to extend his contract at Emirates Stadium.
Adebayor added: "I talked with the coach and he told me I was one of Arsenal's best-paid players, that the club was in the red, so maybe they wouldn't be able to pay me any more - it would be better for me to go. I asked him: 'Is it your choice or the club's?' He answered: 'It's everybody's choice, from the whole club'. I was pushed out!"
Denying the claims from Arsenal fans that only greed drove him to move to City, the African said: “Everybody says Adebayor went for the money. I think a lot of people are wrong because Arsenal bought me for five or six million and they sold me three-and-a-half years later for £25million. So people should know that it's not me who wanted to leave for money, it's Arsenal that forced me to go.”
Adebayor's allegation is quite remarkable given that Arsenal recently announced that their 12 month pre-tax profits to 31 May rose to £45.5m.
However, the striker claims that the animosity aimed at him from Gunners fans is misplaced and he didn't intend to provoke the travelling support when he ran the full length of the pitch to celebrate his goal against Arsenal last month.
The striker, who escaped with a suspended ban for the goal celebration, added: “I think we are all human beings and there are things we can stand and others we can't. We all have limits. I'm lucky that my mother is still alive. I think I would never accept things being said and done regarding my mother.
“When I heard the fans singing and insulting my parents . . . I couldn't stand it. When I scored, I wanted to show them, You kicked me out of the club, now I've scored against you.' It was a response to what happened, but I did not in any way want to provoke them.
“My relationship with Arsenal has broken in two. I wanted to stay. It's true that I didn't score a lot of goals last season, but I was often injured.”
Despite claiming that he was forced out of Arsenal, Adebayor still feels that Arsene Wenger is a mentor and a friend.
He added: “He's a gentleman. Wenger gave me the opportunity to be where I am today. He's a coach that helped me a lot, who gave me a chance, who's always been there for me in the bad moments.
“He called me, consoled me, gave me good advice, told me what I had to do to become a great player. I can only thank him.”
Adebayor failed to get on the scoresheet last night as former City captain Richard Dunne opened the scoring for Villa before inform Craig Bellamy equalised in the 68th minute.
Reader views (31)
All Adebayor does is stumble from one lie to another. If he kept his mouth shut, he wouldn't set himself up as the two-faced creep that he is. He got the wage rise in 2008 that he touted himself around for (Barca, Milan etc.) The truth is that he cheated Arsenal fans from the moment he signed his big deal. He's already done more running for City than he did in the whole of last season!..He might as well shut up as no gooner will ever believe him. I want to see what will happen when all of City's forwards are fit, and he has to make way for an in-form team-mate (will he headbutt him I wonder?) Adie, we're better off without you no matter what you or your new team does. Supporters just want players who bust a gut for their team. Wenger will just find someone else, that's for sure....You'll have to compare the reception Kolo gets on 24/4 with that of Adebayor to see that supporters appreciate a true, honest servant to their club.
- John, London, England
sean wrights face in the picture tells the true story. even he cant beleive wat this man has just done
- Nn, antrim
Manchester City 4 Arsenal 2 - good deal you got chaps and guess what...we're going to be lacking "class" all the way into the so-called champions league and hopefully at your club's expense !
- Alex Deane, Manchester, The Heart of England
No not for six games but for life. If we had done the same we would quite rightly be doing 5 years in prison for GBH......................
- Colin Stevens, USA
He is a lying greedy git
- Joey, bromley england
zzzz. gone and very much forgotten
- Goon, London, UK
Ade is a mercenary whose greed surpasses sense and loyalty. Before Wenger found him little was known of this twisted and bitter character best placed to settle grudges through acrimonies act of lawlessness.The best next thing Wenger invested wisely was to off load Arsenal of this pathetic individual. The bottom line is when Thierry left a bit on good and respectable terms. Ade delutionary thought he could not only replace him but was better than him. Hence,the nightmare demands for salary increase to put him on level with Thierry imaginary status were constantly being conceived. Additionary the ego thing to capture Thierry like star lime light was dreamed oftenly but mistakenly so. Creating tension within the team due to his behaviour and self imposing importance. Ade was not a right candidate for Arsenal club. Too materialistic and self efficating. Period. Good riddance Wenger and Mark Hudges is welcome to enjoy honeymoon with his insensitive striker while it last. Long live Arsenal and Arsene for your concerted efforts to create a club atmosphere where values count and individuals are not bigger than club. In addition for upholding the fact that you are not ready to be held at ramson by some prayers out of greed.
- Maryam, Slough, England
As a spurs fan, I have no desire to stick up for Arsenal players or fans. But this man is all that's wrong with modern football, he's just vile.
Also look at the picture, he says he was going for the ball, cant see one in that picture, can anyone else???
- Paul, Enfield
The key qualities that Ade lacks are simply 'dignity and integrity'.
If I remember correctly, he agreed to sign for Man City but waited the whole weekend before putting pen to paper because he was waiting and hopeing for an offer form the 'chavs' at Chelsea. Man City fans watch this space he will turn on your club.
Like the 'chavs' at chelsea he has joined a team that will become soul less
- Lal Brother, London
I'm no Manc but it didn't look deliberate to me.
Does Andy Gray tell you all what to think ?
And he doesn't admit anything if you read the original interview ..
The comments regarding his greed for cold hard cash seem to be well founded though 
- Madmax, London
It is unacceptable what he did. Players shud desist from such acts, it soils the game and makes a mockery of FIFA's fairplay campaign. If Adebayor was the victim perhaps the saga could have taken a racial path. But thankfully this is not the case. In summary, Ade shud get a stiffer ban.
- Benny Blades, Goa, India
Adebayor should take a leaf out of Richard Dunne's book. His muted celebration upon scoring against City, for Villa, last night was extremely dignified, especially taking into account his dismal treatment by City, despite years of loyal service.
- Rob Gooner, North London
Gladly..there are very few characters about like this plonker,how anyone can defend him is pathetic,and im sure Arsenal fans are glad to see the back of the sports top mercenary..his behaviour in the last year has been nothing short of awful and worse to that effect..
Smugness and a large mouth that is willing too spout nonsense is all what this money grabber is about,its just a pity he is still on show in the premiership and being paid a stupid amount to undeserved money
- Evs, herts
No class,no brain and suprise,suprise no concept of the word truth!
Now please just shut up !
- Paul, Enfield,UK
Sadly, this "man" doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut and simply keeps spouting off a seemingly endless stream of contradictory statements. He didn't leave for the money but sought a pay rise after a poor season. He didn't intend to provoke the fans but ran the length of the field "to show them". He admits to the van Persie stamp but continued to vehemently deny having done so deliberately until he had served his supension. The man is a raving loon.
The FA should show they've got some teeth and now impose Adebayor's suspended two-match ban. Mark Hughes defended his player against a charge to which he now admits (still without an apology to RvP, mind you) and has seen him escape with a suspended ban for the goal celebration. As daft as Adebayor is, together he and Hughes have played the system in a totally cynical manner by leaving it to the FA to decide upon his guilt in the stamping incident, happily accepting a lenient suspension for it, then admitting and apologising utterly insincerely for the lesser charge in order to escape with a suspended ban. Shame on the pair of them. One can only hope their uppance will soon come.
- Speed Racer, Tokyo, Japan
Mark Hughes's comments: Ade looked me in th eyes and said he did not stamp on RVP's face deliberately, it was an accident - so MH he lied in your face - how about that?
- Lorraine, South Africa
Who cares? His new club squeek a 1-1 draw... his old club win 6-2
- Blake, Stevenage UK
wont be long before city fans get fed up with this lazy lump of wood. no character, no soul.available to the highest bidder,. money is his god. he thinks that gives him respect.will always be remembered for his cowardly kick at another players head and for pure greed. he talks about respect for his mother but he is playing for a team that used to sing that racist song every time arsenal played them but thats ade for you . money first
- Nn, antrim
I am sorry but I do not beleive Adebayor.
He is saying this because now he has learnt from other players what he should have done when he scored. TEVEZ gave him a perfect example.
A few days ago Adebayor was still speaking against Arsenal supporters.
- A.Messina, Malta
When Lee Bowyer had an on field spat with one of his own Newcastle United players the police and FA couldn't get involved fast enough, even though the incident was caused by a brief flash of ill temper and soon over. Eventually he was charged with a Public Order offence and convicted, even though there was no visible injury or a complaint made by the other player involved. What Adebayor did to Van Persie was incomparable as it caused visible physical injury and was done with intent and malice. He should have been charged with a serious Public Order offence or ABH.
- Pete, Banstead, Surrey
Everyone who saw the game knows he stamped on persie head. Now the investigation finally stopped he is now able to tell the truth. Nice of him to let us know that arsenal were good for him.
Hopefully, when they meet at the emirates, adebayor will finally apologies to v persie.
- Len, london
Adebayor has got no class,if he was a man he would apologise to Van Persie publicly,in my opinion that would go some way to appeasing the situation.He has made a powerful enemy in Arsenal and knowing the fans they will never forget the disrespect and hatred that this pathetic egotist has shown to the club,and on top of that is the fact that in his last season at the club he was to "tired" to play,and the games he did play in the effort was half-hearted.As far as I am concerned he can take his "regrets" and stick them where the sun dont shine,City are welcome to this unloyal mercenary,who is not fit to tie the laces of players such as Fabregas and co.
- Jim Ex Pat,Islington N1, thailand
"I talked with the coach and he told me I was one of Arsenal's best-paid players, that the club was in the red, so maybe they wouldn't be able to pay me any more - it would be better for me to go. I asked him: 'Is it your choice or the club's?' He answered: 'It's everybody's choice, from the whole club'. I was pushed out!"
So he asked for another payrise after the mammoth one last year and wonders why they decided to sell him!!
- Bergkampisgod, london
He admit's now after he has served his ban, i suspect if he admitted it at the time the FA wouldn't have investigated it but given him a straight 5 game ban.
Adebayor in his own right is looking out for his future, I think he needs to stop blaming the club for pushing him out. Wenger is right the club are in debt as they still have to pay the loan on the stadium.
I would like to add that Fabregas and Van Persie - and the vast amount of the first team playing in the team right now support Arsene Wenger and their motivation in staying is to make the club successful.
- Roy, Edmonton, London
Ade used to a hero to most african EPL fans. What he has done is tantamount to dis-respect to his same mother he referred to for arsenal did alot for him. He has lost his respect in our eyes. Ade should do himself a favor n just shut up. Any time he opens his mouth he makes a fool of himself...Wenger is lyk my father.....Wenger pushed me out. He just admitted to stamping on RVP face. A fool.
- Jillojillo, Nairobi, kenya
How long does it take to realise its wrong to stamp on another guys head!I suggest all sane and rational people know this instinctively.This begs the question, just what is wrong with this man!And i would also like to know what right the police have in choosing to apply the law selectively,in spite of cast iron evidence of the offence no prosecution was brought,contrast that with the gargantuan effort of the police and the media to prosecute a few fans who in high spirits invaded a foot ball pitch not long ago!!!!
- Kev, London-UK
Still not convincing,greed,unreasonable ask of salary increase,selfishness and twisted sense of injustice permeating throughout. Just to think the fans used to chant his name two seasons ago and AW would have honed him to be a great footballer and he had forsaken it for instant monetary gratification,he is showing what he really is. Sad though.
- Brown, lonon
4 things:
1. Adebayor disrespected his former club (management, players, and especially fans) by baiting other "big clubs" - we all know who he meant - to sign him. Isn't this also provocative??;
2. Fact: After his salary increased to 80k pounds, his performance dived southwards;
3. He lacks character, sadly encouraged by his present manager, Mark Hughes. With his confession today, it clearly shows that Adebayor lied about not stamping v Persie intentionally.
4. He lacks professionalism. No matter what, you never react to the fans. Period. Everyone knows this principle in sports. No excuse acceptable. You celebrate with your own teammates and fans; You don't run the length of the field to the OPPOSING fans to provoke them any further for whatever reason. A stupid manager will give excuses for this to be acceptable. The fact that some other players did this - Neville, etc.etc. - is not excuse.
- Globalfan, Singapore
Adebayor, have you ever heard of keeping a low profile?? You seem desperate to be in the news - be it in Togo, France or England. No other player at your club's courting the media with such desperation.
After, being aggressive towards the Gooners, you're now choosing the alternative - too obvious kid,just move on - keep a low profile doing so!!
- Gabriele, London,England
adebayor is a mug. end of
- Matt, UK
staggering - this guy should have been banned for at least six games
- Neil, London
