City consider appeals on Adebayor charges
Adebayor has until 6pm today to respond to a Football Association charge of violent conduct that has been brought against him for his challenge on Robin van Persie but the forward, and his manager Mark Hughes, must realise there is little chance of success.
Television replays clearly show Adebayor’s boot making a second movement towards Van Persie’s face. City also now know referee Mark Clattenburg would have sent Adebayor off if he had seen the severity of the challenge at the time.
In such circumstances, it seems a waste of time for City to contest the charge and Hughes will now be preparing for Saturday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford without his £25 million (€28 million) striker.
In addition to this weekend’s eagerly-awaited encounter, Adebayor would also miss next Wednesday’s Carling Cup tie with Fulham, plus a Premier League game with West Ham on September 28 if a three-match ban was handed down.
Where City may have more success is in challenging the charge of improper conduct, which followed Adebayor’s decision to race the full length of the field and celebrate his goal in Saturday’s match in front of the Gunners supporters who used to adore him.
Experienced football figures, including Gareth Southgate and Roy Keane, have come out in support of Adebayor, who was abused by the Arsenal fans every time he touched the ball.
The frostiness of that relationship dates back 14 months, when Adebayor claimed he wanted to leave the Emirates Stadium to play for “a big club”, which, that summer at least, did not happen.
If City can use the reception Adebayor received as a mitigating factor, the Togo forward may escape with a fine.
However, there is also a possibility that an independent disciplinary panel that will be set up once a hearing date has been confirmed may deem Adebayor to have acted irresponsibly and add more matches, as many as three, to any initial suspension.
Certainly, the FA will be speaking with both the Professional Footballers Association and League Managers Association to emphasise the responsibility of officials and players to maintain public order.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said last night he believed Adebayor deserved to face an FA charge.
“My thought is that Adebayor deserves to be charged for what he did,” reflected Wenger.
“But I was surprised that there was such animosity in his attitude towards Arsenal because in a few years he will realise that Arsenal has been great for him. That is why I was deeply surprised and shocked.”
The Gunners boss continued: “Only he can say if he will regret leaving.
“All I can say is that is life and professional football players move on.
“I think the longer distance will make Adebayor realise that Arsenal was a very positive influence in his life.”
Meanwhile, Carlos Tevez seems certain to miss Sunday’s Manchester derby.
The Argentina star was desperate to feature at Old Trafford after his controversial summer move from United to City.
However, he was always a doubt once he injured his knee on World Cup duty against Brazil last week.
With Robinho out with an ankle problem and Adebayor set to miss the Premier League game as well, Tevez’s presence was even more important.
However, club doctor Jamie Butler has been warned Tevez is unlikely to have recovered in time.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
