Reprieve for Eduardo as Adebayor awaits fate
Eduardo was initially suspended for two games for allegedly diving to win a penalty against Celtic in their Champions League qualifier at the Emirates at the end of August.
Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith was quick to call for action against Eduardo and UEFA subsequently began an investigation, which Gunners boss Arsene Wenger lambasted as a “witch-hunt”.
The Premier League club lodged an appeal against the ban which would have ruled the player out of the games against Standard Liege tomorrow night as well as the home match with Olympiacos in a fortnight.
However, UEFA have now announced the ban has been quashed. A statement on their website read: “The UEFA Appeals body today accepted the appeal lodged by Arsenal FC against the two-match suspension handed to striker Eduardo.
“Following examination of all the evidence, notably the declarations of both the referee and the referees’ assessor, as well as the various video footage, it was not established to the panel’s satisfaction that the referee had been deceived in taking his decision on the penalty.
“Therefore, the decision of the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body of 1 September, in which the player was suspended for two UEFA club competition matches, is annulled.”
Arsenal last night welcomed UEFA’s ruling. A statement on the club’s website read: “We are grateful that the appeal body focused on the evidence and made the right decision in this case.
“We were able to show that there was contact between the goalkeeper and Eduardo and that the decision of the UEFA disciplinary body should be annulled.’’
A relieved Eduardo also welcomed the decision.
‘‘I’m very pleased that we have finally arrived at the truth,’’ he said. “All we needed to do was to prove what happened and we have managed to do that.
“All I remember of the incident is that as soon as I had possession of the ball I headed towards goal at full speed. I was very close to the Celtic keeper and felt contact on my foot and then lost my balance. I know perhaps more than anyone else that when you have contact at speed it can be dangerous.
“I just want to say that I’m a fair player. To score goals you must take your opportunities and I’m not the type of player who needs to be dishonest to score goals.”
But while Eduardo is in the clear, Adebayor’s fate has yet to be decided.
FA chiefs have until 6pm today to charge the 25-year-old Togo international if they deem his behaviour against Arsenal warrants it.
Yesterday the FA 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, defended his player, citing the barrage of abuse to which he was subjected by the Arsenal fans.
“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,’’ Hughes said. “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.’’
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
