Adebayor denies bizarre claims from spoof website

Emmanuel Adebayor: Moved to Turkey

Emmanuel Adebayor: Moved to Turkey

Emmanuel Adebayor has rejected claims he smoked cigarettes and asked for whisky in his coffee during a meeting over a proposed move to Lyon.

The 32-year-old striker, who was released by Crystal Palace in the summer, was reported to have smoked, asked for a shot of whisky and laid down several bizarre demands as he discussed a transfer to Ligue 1 with Lyon’s manager Bruno Genesio last week.

The website in question, a spoof named Football France, made the claims on Thursday suggesting that Adebayor had wanted including providing a private helicopter to take him to training, wanted chef Joel Robuchon hiring as his personal cook and asked for a villa with a swimming pool that “has a view of Corsica”.

“We had a place in our squad for Manu, so I arranged to meet him for a coffee in Lyon,” Geneseo is reported to have said. “But, to my surprise, when he arrived he asked for a shot of whisky in his coffee. He also had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.”

The former Man City and Arsenal star though has quickly refuted the claims and suggested he would receive a full apology for the person responsible.

“Usually I do not comment on any transfer negotiations or speculation but this time certain matters need to be cleared up,” said Adebayor.

“Lyon wanted to sign me and offered to pay for a private jet from Togo to bring me to Lyon in order for me to sign ahead of their game against Marseille. The contract was all agreed and I was merely flying in to complete a medical and sign the paperwork.

Gabriel, Emmanuel Adebayor

“Unfortunately I could not get there in time to be registered for their game and they signed another young striker instead. They still asked if I could come and speak to the manager and director of football in order to establish if it would be possible to sign us both.

“We all had a perfectly amicable meeting in Lyon but the coach felt it was not fair on the young player’s development to sign us both and I felt I would not get the requisite game time I needed to make this opportunity worthwhile.

“For the avoidance of doubt I only drank water at this meeting and did not ask for whisky or have a cigarette.”