Adebayor to learn fate on Tuesday

15 September 2009 12:13
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor will discover on Tuesday whether or not he is to be charged by the Football Association. Disciplinary chiefs have until 6pm to charge the 25-year-old Togo international if they deem his actions in Saturday's 4-2 Barclays Premier League victory over former club Arsenal warrant it. The FA on Monday collated the evidence against Adebayor, who stands accused of stamping on former team-mate Robin van Persie and allegedly inciting the travelling supporters at the City of Manchester Stadium by running the length of the pitch to celebrate his goal in front of them. If the striker is charged and found guilty of violent conduct for his challenge on Van Persie, he would be handed a three-match ban which, under the FA's new fast-track disciplinary system, would see him miss this weekend's Manchester derby. He could also face further sanction over his goal celebration, for which he was cautioned by referee Mark Clattenburg, who took no action over the challenge on the Dutchman. City boss Hughes, however, launched a staunch defence of his player, citing the barrage of abuse to which he was subjected by the Arsenal fans. He told the club's official website: "Emmanuel Adebayor sustained a tremendous amount of personal abuse from the kick-off, but strongly maintains that there was no malice intended in the challenge on Robin van Persie, and apologised to him when he hugged him on leaving the field of play 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 that neither were worthy of either a yellow or red card. "There has been much discussion over the weekend regarding the various incidents in Saturday's game, which is understandable. "We expect high standards of behaviour from our players and it is easy in the cold light of day, when the adrenalin has died down, to talk about what players should and shouldn't do in that situation. Ade again immediately apologised, but we know the FA will be reviewing the matter."

Source: Eurosport