Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has confirmed the English Premier League club will contest the improper conduct charge handed out to striker Emmanuel Adebayor by the Football Association.
The Togo international was charged following his goal celebration in City’s 4-2 victory over his former club Arsenal at Eastlands last weekend. Adebayor sprinted the length of the pitch towards the section of the ground were the visiting supporters were gathered before he slid on to his knees and stretched out his arms which sparked volatile scenes. The 25-year-old forward, who left the Gunners for City in July for a fee in the region of $40 million, has already been given a three-match suspension after he accepted a charge of violent conduct for a stamp on Arsenal’s Robin van Persie. Adebayor — Hero or villain But City boss Hughes believes Adebayor has a good case to contest the additional charge dished out by the FA for improper conduct. “We have time to construct our arguments. We have a view and a period of time to make our feelings known,” Hughes said in his press conference on the eve City’s derby clash with Manchester United. Blog: Adebayor deserves to be banned “It is important you do not take the emotion out of the game. It is part and parcel of what football is about and why it is such a huge sport worldwide. “The circumstances of the game and the amount of criticism and vitriol Ade had to take was not nice. It was a difficult situation for him coming up against former team-mates.
Don’t Miss
Adebayor accepts violent conduct charge
Adeabyor is charged wih misconduct
Adebayor accused of stamping
Adebayor hits back as stamping row rages
“Some of those former team-mates felt they could not even shake his hand before the game. All these things can perhaps affect someone’s emotional state. The celebration was an outpouring of that. “I also feel there are comparisons to be made with Ade’s celebration and the reaction of van Persie when he scored.” Despite the fact that City and Adebayor have player accepted the violent conduct charge Hughes maintained that he felt it was unjust after he spoke to the player over the matter. He added: “I know and Ade is adamant that he did not intend to hurt van Persie. Unfortunately with these things you are not allowed to have a personal hearing. “I asked Ade, ‘Did you mean to do it’. He looked me in the eye and said ‘no’. That’s our stance. “There was no intent. It was not malicious. It was an accident and I believe him.”
