Former Emmanuel Adebayor says he has no regrets about his controversial celebration in front of Arsenal FC supporters, insisting it was driven by deeply personal abuse he received during the match.
The incident, which occurred while Adebayor was playing for Manchester City, remains one of the most memorable and divisive moments in Premier League history. After scoring, the striker ran the length of the pitch before sliding on his knees in front of the Arsenal fans, sparking strong reactions both inside the stadium and beyond.
Speaking to talkSPORT, the former Togo international explained that the gesture was not premeditated but instead an emotional response to comments from the crowd.
“If I want to be honest, you asked me if I regret it. No, I didn’t regret it because, listen, they were giving me a hard time,” Adebayor said, reflecting on the moment.
He revealed that the situation became particularly difficult when supporters directed insults at his family, including his late father and his mother.
“And obviously, then my father already passed away and I still have my mother. So, you know, getting my parents involved, insulting my parents was something I can never take lightly.”
Adebayor suggested that the personal nature of the abuse pushed him to react in a way that has since defined part of his career narrative. While the celebration drew widespread criticism at the time, he maintains that it was a justified response under the circumstances.
The striker also spoke about his emotional connection to Arsenal, where he enjoyed a successful spell earlier in his career. He described joining the club as a defining moment, particularly because of his admiration for Nigerian forward Kanu Nwankwo.
“For me, to join Arsenal was the biggest achievement in my career. But the way things ended up was a little bit nasty,” he admitted.
Despite the difficult ending to his time at the club, Adebayor emphasised that his reaction during the Manchester City match was rooted in a sense of personal responsibility.
“Because at the end of the day, if I can’t represent and defend my parents, I don’t know who would do it for me. So it’s kind of doing my job.”
The comments offer fresh insight into one of football’s most controversial celebrations, highlighting the emotional pressures players can face during high-profile matches. While opinions on the incident remain divided, Adebayor’s explanation underlines the personal context behind a moment that continues to be widely discussed years later.
