Manchester City boss Mark Hughes claims there was "no malice" in Emmanuel Adebayor's controversial challenge which left Robin van Persie nursing a facial wound during Saturday's stormy 4-2 victory over Arsenal. Adebayor's conduct at Eastlands is likely to lead to Football Association action after he was involved in two flashpoints during City's meeting with his former club. The Togo striker chose to run the length of the pitch before celebrating his second-half header in front of the travelling fans. He also appeared to make contact with van Persie's face with what has been described by the Gunners striker as a "mindless and malicious stamp". But amid suggestions that Adebayor could be banned for up to six games following a FA probe, Hughes has launched a staunch defence of his striker. "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 told his club's official website. Adebayor's clash with van Persie followed a wild challenge on him by the Dutchman and Hughes believes there are mitigating circumstances which the FA must take into account. The striker came out immediately after the match and apologised for his goalscoring reaction, but did not mention the van Persie incident. "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," added Hughes. "There has been much discussion over the weekend regarding the various incidents in Saturday's game which is understandable. "We expect high standards of behaviour from our players and it is easy in the cold light of day, when the adrenalin has died down, to talk about what players should and shouldn't do in that situation. "Ade again immediately apologised but we know the FA will be reviewing the matter."
Monday, September 14, 2009
Mark Hughes defends Adebayor for his clash with Van Persie.
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes claims there was "no malice" in Emmanuel Adebayor's controversial challenge which left Robin van Persie nursing a facial wound during Saturday's stormy 4-2 victory over Arsenal. Adebayor's conduct at Eastlands is likely to lead to Football Association action after he was involved in two flashpoints during City's meeting with his former club. The Togo striker chose to run the length of the pitch before celebrating his second-half header in front of the travelling fans. He also appeared to make contact with van Persie's face with what has been described by the Gunners striker as a "mindless and malicious stamp". But amid suggestions that Adebayor could be banned for up to six games following a FA probe, Hughes has launched a staunch defence of his striker. "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 told his club's official website. Adebayor's clash with van Persie followed a wild challenge on him by the Dutchman and Hughes believes there are mitigating circumstances which the FA must take into account. The striker came out immediately after the match and apologised for his goalscoring reaction, but did not mention the van Persie incident. "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," added Hughes. "There has been much discussion over the weekend regarding the various incidents in Saturday's game which is understandable. "We expect high standards of behaviour from our players and it is easy in the cold light of day, when the adrenalin has died down, to talk about what players should and shouldn't do in that situation. "Ade again immediately apologised but we know the FA will be reviewing the matter."
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