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Adebayor escapes punishment from FA

  • Story Highlights
  • Emmanuel Adebayor escapes censure for alleged butt on Nicklas Bendtner
  • The Arsenal strike duo clashed during Tuesday's 5-1 defeat against Tottenham
  • Having viewed the incident, referee Howard Webb felt the video inconclusive
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LONDON, England -- Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has escaped punishment for his alleged headbutt on team-mate Nicklas Bendtner, the English Football Association have announced.

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Danish striker Bendtner holds his face after his altercation with team-mate Adebayor during defeat at Tottenham.

Bendtner complained of being struck by his Gunners team-mate in the second half of Tuesday night's 5-1 Carling Cup defeat by Tottenham, but no action will be taken by the FA.

An FA spokesman said: "No formal disciplinary action will be taken against Emmanuel Adebayor. Both players will be written to to remind them of their responsibilities."

The FA requested a copy of the relevant television footage to assist their investigation after referee Howard Webb confirmed he did not witness the whole event.

But having viewed the footage, Webb felt it was inconclusive and could not recommend issuing retrospective charges against any player.

Bendtner, who had scored an own goal earlier in the match, became involved in a heated altercation with Adebayor and appeared to complain of being headbutted by the Togo international.

Arsenal captain William Gallas stepped in to try to calm matters down before then being confronted himself by the angry young Danish striker.

Webb intervened to restore order and yesterday Adebayor apologised for the bust-up with Bendtner. He said: "I think that 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.

"We are both passionate about this club and sometimes that can be projected in the wrong way. It was a mistake. We want to focus on the games ahead and rely on our squad's great togetherness to achieve a fantastic season."

The FA's decision will be a relief for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is already missing forward Robin van Persie with a thigh injury. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

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