Emmanuel Adebayor was always a bit of a hot head but even by his standards this was a bit much.
The ex-Arsenal, Man City and Tottenham striker is currently plying his trade in Paraguay and gave his new fans a glimpse of what they are in for when he was sent off for KARATE KICKING an opponent.
The Togo striker only signed for new club Olimpia Asuncion in February and has failed to score since. But supporters briefly forgot about his lack of goals as they watched him dabble in kung fu. The stomach churning incident occurred with his side leading 1-0 in the 73rd minute against Defensa y Justicia in the Copa Libertadores.
An airborne Adebayor challenged for a high ball with Defensa’s Enzo Coacci, but after Coacci got there first the 36-year-old’s foot appeared to collide with his head studs first. But luckily, a different angle shows Coacci turning away just before the incoming boot connects with his face leaving it to smash into his shoulder. The ref immediately showed the former Real Madrid striker a red for the wild lunge.
After the game Adebayor himself labelled the tackle a “Jackie Chan challenge”. He wrote on Twitter: “Tough game today! What a great team spirit, and what a win boys. Sad to leave the pitch early on a Jackie Chan challenge. It was never my intention to hurt my opponent, and I am glad he is okay.”
Olimpia have two other ex-Premier League players in their ranks with former Blackburn and Man City star Roque Santa Cruz and ex-West Ham forward Brian Montenegro – who scored an 80th minute winner – also taking part in the game.
Adebayor’s side were winning 1-0 when he saw red before Montenegro doubled their eight minutes later. Olimpia survived a late consolation from Defensa’s Marcelo Bentiez to win 2-1.
Having left Turkish side Kayserispor in December, Adebayor was without a club until he was snapped up by the Paraguayan champs. He last played in England for Crystal Palace who he left in July 2016.
Photo Credit: Getty
