Hughes: Adebayor's Van Persie kick not deliberate

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has defended striker Emmanuel AdebayorEmmanuel Adebayor against accusations that he deliberately injured former teammate Robin van PersieRobin van Persie.The Football Association is set to investigate the former Arsenal forward's goal celebration in front of visiting fans in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Gunners, a game in which Van Persie was cut below the eye by what he called a "mindless and malicious stamp" from the same player.Van Persie said he was fortunate to escape more serious injury, but Hughes repeated Adebayor's contention that it was an accidental collision."Emmanuel Adebayor sustained a tremendous amount of personal abuse from the kickoff but strongly maintains that there was no malice intended in the challenge on Robin van Persie and apologized to him when he hugged him on leaving the field of play at the end of the game," Hughes said Monday."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."Adebayor, who joined City in July after ending his final season in north London subject to accusations from fans of a poor attitude and work rate, caught Van Persie's face with his boot after the Netherlands striker tried to dispossess him with a sliding tackle.He then ran the length of the field to celebrate after scoring City's third goal. Furious Arsenal fans hurled objects on to the field and had to be controlled by stewards, one of whom was knocked unconscious."We expect high standards of behavior from our players and it is easy in the cold light of day, when the adrenaline has died down, to talk about what players should and shouldn't do in that situation," Hughes said. "Ade again immediately apologized but we know the FA will be reviewing the matter."