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Adebayor to learn fate tomorrow
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor will discover tomorrow whether or not he is to be charged by the Football Association.
Disciplinary chiefs have until 6pm tomorrow evening to charge the 25-year-old Togo international if they deem his actions in Saturday's 4-2 Barclays Premier League victory over former club Arsenal warrant it.
The FA was today collating 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, has launched a staunch defence of his player, citing the barrage of abuse to which he was subjected by the Arsenal fans.
He told the club's official website, told www.mcfc.co.uk: "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.
"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.
"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."
However, Adebayor at least found an ally over his celebration in former England defender Gareth Southgate.
The Middlesbrough boss accepts there is a line which should not be crossed, but insists players should be allowed to enjoy scoring goals.
Southgate said: "We have a strange ruling on celebrations. My dad would say why don't we just shake hands and run back to the centre-circle like we used to, probably.
"But if you can't enjoy scoring your goals, then there's a problem.
"Now, I understood there is a line where you start to incite problems as well, so there is an important distinguishing factor there.
"But I stand in the dug-out and get abuse at away grounds, players get abuse at grounds and yet when the boot is on the other foot, we are quick to jump on people's backs.
"I don't go for people saying it's totally out of order. The wind-up goes both ways.
"If you give it, you have to take it. If people can't accept somebody celebrating, they maybe shouldn't give him the sort of stick he was getting during the game."
Any suspension for Adebayor would leave Hughes with a selection problem at Old Trafford.
Robinho is already out with an ankle injury, Roque Santa Cruz is still to make his debut after a summer knee operation, while Carlos Tevez is a major doubt to face his old club after picking up a knee injury on international duty with Argentina.
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Post time 15-9-2009 09:01 AM
