Israel Saria
Adebayor signed for Manchester City from Arsenal for £25m in July
|
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is hopeful the club can successfully contest the improper conduct charge against Emmanuel Adebayor.
Hughes intimated the striker will face the Football Association on Thursday to contest charges over his celebrations in City’s game with Arsenal this month.
“We’ll be putting our views across and we’re hopeful of a positive result,” said Hughes. “We’ll see on Thursday.
“He apologised almost immediately after and I think people need to move on.”
The FA refused to confirm or deny that Adebayor’s hearing would take place later this week.
The former Arsenal striker was charged after sprinting the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of Gunners fans after scoring during the match on 12 September, which City won 4-2.
His reaction contrasts sharply with that of City team-mate Carlos Tevez, who played down his celebrations after scoring twice in Monday’s 3-1 defeat of former club West Ham.
 |
606: DEBATE
Blueprophet
|
After scoring the first of his two goals at Eastlands, the Argentine raised an almost apologetic hand of acknowledgement before being besieged by ecstatic team-mates.
After the game, Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola praised Tevez’s professionalism.
“Great players like him are true gentlemen,” said Zola. “Our supporters appreciate him for what he did for the club and his contribution for City was outstanding.”
Adebayor missed the game against West Ham because he was still serving a three-match ban for violent conduct in the encounter against Arsenal.
He was found guilty of stamping on former team-mate Robin van Persie, a challenge which left the Dutchman needing treatment on a cut to his face.
Hughes has already launched a stout defence of Adebayor’s goal celebration, despite accusations that it incited Arsenal fans.
Celebration was outpouring of emotion – Hughes
After the match it emerged that a steward needed hospital treatment after being hit by a flying object as several visiting supporters vented their fury towards their former striker, who was booked by referee Mark Clattenburg for his actions.
“The circumstances of the game and amount of criticism and vitriol he had to take wasn’t nice,” said Hughes.
“It was difficult for him – it was the first time he was up against former team-mates and some of those felt they couldn’t even shake his hand.
“All these things maybe affect somebody’s emotional state in the game. The celebrations were an outpouring of that.”
Adebayor says sorry for goal celebration
Togo international Adebayor apologised for his behaviour immediately after the match but claimed he had been provoked by the Arsenal fans.
“The emotion took over me,” said Adebayor. “Now I just have to say sorry.
“It was silly to run up in front of the Arsenal fans but these people have been insulting me all game. Even in the warm-up they were insulting me. They were saying things that are not nice to hear, personal things.”
Comments
Loading…