Van Persie accuses Adebayor of 'vicious stamp'

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has accused his former team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor of committing a “mindless and malicious stamp” on him during today’s Barclays Premier League match at Eastlands.

Van Persie said in a statement that Adebayor, who moved from Arsenal to Manchester City for £25m in the summer, had set out to hurt him and had not offered an apology.

“I am sad and disappointed by my former team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor’s mindless and malicious stamp on me during today’s match,” Van Persie said.

“We are both professional footballers and I know that the game is physical, I too have made hard and sometimes mis-timed challenges but never with the intention of hurting an opponent. He set out to hurt me today.”

Van Persie required treatment for a facial wound after being caught on the side of his face by Adebayor's boot during the second half.

In his statement, Van Persie added: “I knew he was aiming for a collision because he changed the angle of his body to allow contact to be made.

“He moved backwards when his natural momentum would have taken him forward. I find that deeply disrespectful. He has shown a real lack of class today, to me and the fans.

“I do feel lucky that I have not suffered a greater injury. The contact was only centimetres from my eye. I have not received an apology from him, there were no words exchanged afterwards. He had his own agenda today and that is bad for football. It’s bad for the game we all love.

“I want to make it clear that this has nothing to do with the result of today’s match. We do not hide from that disappointment but I need to speak out about his behaviour.”

Adebayor, who scored City’s third goal, apologised for his goal celebration in the 4-2 win.

Adebayor headed home Shaun Wright-Phillips’ cross before charging the full length of the field to celebrate in front of the Arsenal supporters who spent the afternoon baiting him.

“To be honest, I’m very sorry for all this,” Adebayor said.