Source: Daily_Mail
Man City star Adebayor escapes new ban after FA say he was 'provoked'
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has escaped with a suspended two-match ban and a £25,000 fine for his goal celebration in front of Arsenal supporters, after the FA decided he was severely provoked.
Adebayor, for whom the fine is equivalent to a day's wages, sprinted 90 yards before sliding on his knees in front of Arsenal's travelling fans after scoring a header in City's 4-2 win last month.
Having already served a three-match ban for raking his boot down the face of former team-mate Robin van Persie, he is available to play at Aston Villa on Monday night.
Adebayor attended a personal hearing at the FA's new Wembley offices on Thursday dressed in a Manchester City club suit.
An FA statement said that the regulatory commission had taken into account the'extremely provocative nature of the abuse' Adebayor had suffered andthat he had admitted the charge and apologised for his behaviour.
His two-match ban has been suspended until December 2010 and will be activated in breach of FA rules regarding improper conduct.
Delighted City manager Mark Hughes said: 'There has been a lot saidand written about Emmanuel's goal celebration. We are just glad to putit all behind us now and I am relieved he will be able to play at Aston Villa.'
