London - The Football Association (FA) on Tuesday charged Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor with violent conduct for his alleged stamp on Robin van Persie during his side's 4-2 victory over Arsenal at the weekend. He also faces a charge of improper conduct for his controversial goal celebration in the same game.
Van Persie suffered a gashed face in the incident with his former team-mate, who then scored the goal that put City 3-1 up and ran the length of the field before sliding on his knees in front of the Arsenal fans.
Those fans pelted him with missiles, one of which struck a steward leaving him requiring hospital attention.
Great Manchester Police (GMP) reported the incident to the FA.
"The Football Association today issued two charges against Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor following Saturday's Premier League fixture between Manchester City and Arsenal," an FA statement said.
"Referee Mark Clattenburg has advised the FA that he did not see this incident, but has confirmed that had he done so, he would have sent Adebayor off for violent conduct.
"The player has until 6pm on Wednesday evening to respond to the charge."
The FA said a separate date will now be arranged for a commission to consider Adebayor's goal celebration.
"We have also asked the GMP and the clubs to identify those supporters involved in any violent and aggravating behaviour," the FA said.
Manchester City manager, Mark Hughes, has backed his player.
"Emmanuel strongly maintains that there was no malice intended in the challenge on Robin van Persie," he said, "and apologised to him when he hugged him on leaving the field of play at the end of the game."
