LONDON - Football Association confirmed yesterday that they would be taking a "good close look" at Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor's controversial behaviour in the 4-2 win over his former club Arsenal.

City's £25 million signing left his mark on Saturday's game.

He first appeared to stamp on former teammate Robin van Persie, leaving the Dutchman with a gashed face, and then ran the length of the pitch to taunt the Arsenal fans after scoring City's third goal.

Referee Mark Clattenburg booked the Togo striker for his celebrations, which provoked fury among many Arsenal fans who had to be restrained by pitch-side stewards, one of whom needed hospital treatment after being hit by a flying object in the melee.

And Adebayor could well face further sanction after FA chief executive Ian Watmore told BBC that the player's actions would come under scrutiny.

Watmore refused to speculate on any punishment which could be meted out to Adebayor.

City manager Mark Hughes appealed for leniency for his forward.

Van Persie, however, was furious accusing his former teammate of deliberately trying to hurt him.

"I am sad and disappointed by Emmanuel Adebayor's mindless and malicious stamp on me during the match," said the Dutchman. "I have not received an apology from him, there were no words exchanged afterwards. He had his own agenda today and that is bad for football."

Adebayor himself was quick to issue an apology.

He said: "I'm very sorry for all this. Sometimes the emotion takes over and that's what happened.

"I was very happy to score the goal. Before the game people have been saying and writing things about me and emotion took over." -AFP