Four-match ban looms as FA prepare to hit Adebayor
MANCHESTER CITY striker Emmanuel Adebayor is today expected to be charged over his behaviour in Saturday’s fiery clash with former club Arsenal and is facing the prospect of a four-match ban.
The Football Association is poised to charge Adebayor with violent conduct – which would likely result in a three-game suspension – for a raking-studs challenge on Robin van Persie that left his ex-colleague with a gashed face.
Adebayor also faces scrutiny for celebrating his goal in City’s 4-2 win by running the length of the field to parade in front of Gunners fans, an act FA chief executive Ian Watmore admitted left him “unimpressed”.
While the violent conduct charge will be settled this week under the FA’s new fast-track disciplinary system, the investigation into his celebration will take longer, as the FA want to speak to stewards and police. If it results in a charge of improper conduct then the Togo international can expect an additional suspension. Either way, he seems likely to miss next weekend’s Manchester derby.
Commenting on Adebayor’s goal celebration, which saw a steward injured as Arsenal fans revolted, Watmore said: “I was pretty unimpressed really.
The problems between the Arsenal fans and Adebayor are well documented, and he ran the whole length of the field to celebrate, so I think we’re going to have a good close look at that one.
“The stewards did a great job of calming the situation down and it was to Manchester City’s credit nothing worse happened. Our governance team will take a good look at both of the incidents that have been highlighted and will come to the media with the answers early next week.”
The former Monaco player was cautioned for his celebration, but the FA has the power to impose additional sanctions. Adebayor apologised after the game, but with the furore over last month’s crowd trouble between West Ham and Millwall fresh in the memory, the FA is thought keen to clamp down on any type of incitement.
Referee Mark Clattenburg did not take action over Adebayor’s altercation with former strike partner Van Persie, which the Dutchman condemned as a “mindless and malicious stamp” in a statement after the match. “He set out to hurt me today,” said Van Persie. “I knew he was aiming for a collision because he changed the angle of his body to allow contact to be made.”