Adebayor escapes further ban over goal celebration

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has escaped a ban over his controversial goal celebration against former club Arsenal last month.

Adebayor did receive a two-match suspended ban and a 25,000-pound fine from the Football Association.

But he is free to resume playing for City having already served a three-match ban for stamping on Arsenal striker Robin van Persie during the same match.

That will come as welcome news for City boss Mark Hughes, who takes his squad to Aston Villa on Monday.

Adebayor was charged with improper conduct after running the length of the City of Manchester Stadium pitch to celebrate his goal in a 4-2 victory in front of the Arsenal supporters.

That triggered a furious reaction from the visiting fans and a steward needed hospital treatment after being knocked unconscious by a missile thrown from the Arsenal section of the ground.

Adebayor, who had admitted the violent conduct charge in relation to his stamp on van Persie, has apologised for both incidents, claiming that he was overcome by emotion after receiving sustained abuse from the Arsenal supporters.