Post by MRMILLWALL on Jan 23, 2008 15:15:10 GMT -1
Emmanuel Adebayor has apologised for his altercation with Arsenal team-mate Nicklas Bendtner during Tuesday's 5-1 Carling Cup defeat at Tottenham.
With seven minutes left of the match, the pair squared up to each other and Bendtner appeared to suffer a cut nose.
The Football Association has requested video footage of the incident and could decide to take disciplinary action.
Adebayor told the club's website: "We are both passionate about this club, but it was a mistake. I am sorry."
Interview: Tottenham assistant coach Gus Poyet
Interview: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
Arsenal were 4-1 down when the incident happened, and substitute Adebayor had been on the pitch for only 21 minutes.
The Togo international had made an impact on the game within eight minutes of his arrival when he scored Arsenal's only goal.
However, frustrations later boiled over and tempers flared within the Arsenal team as Tottenham romped to their first win over their north London rivals in nine years.
"We should have been more calm during the game and although I was pleased to get a goal back for the team when I came on, I am sorry for the disagreement with my team-mate Nicklas," said Adebayor.
Gunners skipper William Gallas and referee Howard Webb intervened, but the match official did not see the entire incident.
606: DEBATE
It was violent conduct and the referee bottled sending them off
Pearlsaswinger
Broadcasters have been asked to provide the FA with any relevant television footage, which will be shown to Webb for his opinion.
Should he indicate action would have been taken on the night had he witnessed it, the FA can then retrospectively issue charges against any individuals.
Gunners skipper Gallas said: "I don't know exactly what happened [between Adebayor and Bendtner].
"They know they made a mistake and maybe they will have to go to the boss and explain why they did that. They are young and they have to understand that."
The incident was also seen by Matthieu Flamini, who shouted pleas to his team-mates to calm down from the substitutes bench.
But Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted: "I did not know anything about it. I didn't see it."
It is not the first time that team-mates have been involved in an altercation on the pitch.
Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer were sent off after brawling at St James' Park in 2005 when they were playing for Newcastle, who had fallen 3-0 behind to Aston Villa.
Seven years ago Bradford's Stuart McCall had to have stitches in a facial wound after Andy Myers struck him just before half-time of the 6-1 defeat to Leeds.
And in 1995, Blackburn team-mates David Batty and Graeme Le Saux came to blows during a Champions League match against Spartak Moscow.
Wengers his usual self i didnt see it honest!!
With seven minutes left of the match, the pair squared up to each other and Bendtner appeared to suffer a cut nose.
The Football Association has requested video footage of the incident and could decide to take disciplinary action.
Adebayor told the club's website: "We are both passionate about this club, but it was a mistake. I am sorry."
Interview: Tottenham assistant coach Gus Poyet
Interview: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
Arsenal were 4-1 down when the incident happened, and substitute Adebayor had been on the pitch for only 21 minutes.
The Togo international had made an impact on the game within eight minutes of his arrival when he scored Arsenal's only goal.
However, frustrations later boiled over and tempers flared within the Arsenal team as Tottenham romped to their first win over their north London rivals in nine years.
"We should have been more calm during the game and although I was pleased to get a goal back for the team when I came on, I am sorry for the disagreement with my team-mate Nicklas," said Adebayor.
Gunners skipper William Gallas and referee Howard Webb intervened, but the match official did not see the entire incident.
606: DEBATE
It was violent conduct and the referee bottled sending them off
Pearlsaswinger
Broadcasters have been asked to provide the FA with any relevant television footage, which will be shown to Webb for his opinion.
Should he indicate action would have been taken on the night had he witnessed it, the FA can then retrospectively issue charges against any individuals.
Gunners skipper Gallas said: "I don't know exactly what happened [between Adebayor and Bendtner].
"They know they made a mistake and maybe they will have to go to the boss and explain why they did that. They are young and they have to understand that."
The incident was also seen by Matthieu Flamini, who shouted pleas to his team-mates to calm down from the substitutes bench.
But Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted: "I did not know anything about it. I didn't see it."
It is not the first time that team-mates have been involved in an altercation on the pitch.
Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer were sent off after brawling at St James' Park in 2005 when they were playing for Newcastle, who had fallen 3-0 behind to Aston Villa.
Seven years ago Bradford's Stuart McCall had to have stitches in a facial wound after Andy Myers struck him just before half-time of the 6-1 defeat to Leeds.
And in 1995, Blackburn team-mates David Batty and Graeme Le Saux came to blows during a Champions League match against Spartak Moscow.
Wengers his usual self i didnt see it honest!!
