Former Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor claims racist abuse from Arsenal fans prompted his infamous celebration at the Etihad.
Ex-Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor says racist abuse from supporters of his former club motivated his infamous celebration for Manchester City against the Gunners.
The Togo international left Emirates Stadium after the 2008-09 season and inspired a 4-2 win for City against Arsène Wenger's side in the early weeks of the following campaign, scoring the third goal before running the full length of the pitch and sliding in front of the Arsenal fans with his arms outstretched.
"The abuse was too much. I was ready to die"
He was later fined £25,000 and given a suspended two-match ban for his actions but has now claimed that chants from the Gunners supporters concerning his parents' background led him to celebrate as he did.
"I remember getting to the stadium and Arsenal fans were there," he told Sportsmail.
"All I heard was the chant - my father worked in currency exchange and my mother is a businesswoman. But this went on and on. So how can I reply? I didn't have a voice to go against thousands of supporters.
"If a sniper shot me, he would not have struck me down. I was in my spiritual zone.
"Kolo Touré said to me: 'I was looking at the pictures and you did not flinch once.' I did not feel human anymore. The abuse was too much. I was ready to die. I just looked at them and thought: 'there are things you do not do'.
"It is why I have not said anything about racism the past few weeks. When I celebrated, the FA fined me, they punished me. Nothing happened to the Arsenal fans. So it [racism] started with me and long before me."
Oluwole12
0
Well no matter how much you try to justify your move Adebayor since that day your career went down and you never hit the heights again. You provoked me as an Arsenal fan when you were still playing for us. Shame on them for their shambolic attitudes
Rimdmtuy
0
Your lackadaisical attitude in front of goals during your time at Arsenal led to the abuse and your sale to City.
you're a shame to humanity
kazprinz1
0
Sad but true. A common problem faced by black players in the world today... A serious punishment should be brandished to supporters of clubs that carry out these despicable acts rather than simply issuing them a lifetime ban
kazprinz1
0
I wouldn't believe a word from this Judas's mouth and that's not being racist, it's being truthful. He's more than likely got paid big money for this and for the other stories
So are you saying the arsenal fans didn't insult his family's background? 😕
kazprinz1
0
Your lackadaisical attitude in front of goals during your time at Arsenal led to the abuse and your sale to City.
You should be arrested as you are part of the problems facing the beautiful game
SCOPA
1
Liar 🤥
I'm a big and die hard arsenal fan, and apparently that's not a lie at all.. come on why would he banned and fined for just a *Sliding celebration"
cehadiptyz
1
Liar 🤥
Wapcsu
0
Your lackadaisical attitude in front of goals during your time at Arsenal led to the abuse and your sale to City.
but that doesn't mean that he should be abuse that means ur a part of the problem nothing but a fu**ING racist
Giz
0
I wouldn't believe a word from this Judas's mouth and that's not being racist, it's being truthful. He's more than likely got paid big money for this and for the other stories
Another dim witted barbarian! So many watch football!
Pekbcdmpu
0
Your lackadaisical attitude in front of goals during your time at Arsenal led to the abuse and your sale to City.
people like you are part of the problem and so what if he wasnt good at Arsenal no one absolutely no one deserves to be treated that way you are just as ignorant as bounci
Giz
0
Your lackadaisical attitude in front of goals during your time at Arsenal led to the abuse and your sale to City.
Are you an ass? So this warranted him suffering racist abuse! You too are a ring head racist. Then again most football fans are hooligans.
tazaelnru
1
you are very stupid for that your idiotic comment.what will you gain for that, you lunatic racist.
cusbdlmors
2
Your lackadaisical attitude in front of goals during your time at Arsenal led to the abuse and your sale to City.
posdinptz
3
I wouldn't believe a word from this Judas's mouth and that's not being racist, it's being truthful. He's more than likely got paid big money for this and for the other stories
Angus T
4
You hurt player that's Is trying to entertain you, call him monkey and all sort of names. Football world must fix this fast before its too late
Edoo87
1
i seen this news on AF more than 6 times
Huhaceilos
0
That sad