Adebayor is facing a three-match ban for pushing his cleats into Dutchman Van Persie’s face during a game against Arsenal that saw him score in his fourth successive game. Although Manchester City won 4:2, the victory was marred by Van Persie’s accusation that Adebayor deliberately kicked him in the face. The three-match ban means Adebayor, also a Togo international, will be unable to play for Manchester City until October 19.

According to a statement from the FA, “Under the expedited disciplinary process, Adebayor has been charged with violent conduct following an incident with Robin van Persie, which resulted in the Arsenal player suffering facial injuries.” Referee Mark Clattenburg informed the FA that although he was not aware of the incident, had he been he would have sacked Adebayor.

The stormy Togolese joined Manchester City on July 18, 2009 after signing a five-year deal for a transfer fee in the region of £25m. Adebayor scored on his debut against Blackburn Rovers, finishing off an 18-yard strike in the third minute! His second match saw him score the only goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers, giving his team a 1:0 victory. He headed the ball into the goal during his third consecutive league match against Portsmouth, in which Manchester City again won 1: 0. And then came the fourth goal in a row during the fateful match…

Before this, Emmanuel Adebayor was criticized for celebrating a goal by running the length of the pitch in front of Arsenal supporters, who nearly invaded the pitch and threw objects at him in anger. He was booked for this, but later apologized. Mark Hughes suggests that Adebayor did this to be loved by Manchester City fans.

Adebayor, who was voted African Footballer of the Year in 2008, also plays for his native Togo, although he was also eligible to play for Nigeria. He helped Togo qualify for the 2006 African Cup of Nations, during which he scored 11 goals in qualifying! He also played a prominent role in Togo’s qualification for the 2006 World Cup. Although Adebayor failed to score a single goal in the World Cup and Togo was eliminated during the group stage, he was named team captain after the classification.

This is not the first time that Adebayor has gotten into trouble for his impetuousness and temperament. During the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, he nearly dropped out of the tournament after a fight with his coach and was once kicked out of the team after a fight over bonus payments. But Adebayor returned to the Togo national team in 2007. Adebayor wears soccer uniform number 25.