Ricky Hatton: 'No excuse for Emmanuel Adebayor's antics'

Manchester City fanatic Ricky Hatton insists he could understand Emmanuel Adebayor's behaviour against Arsenal but admits the striker was "a bit naughty".

Adebayor infuriated Gunners fans by racing the full length of the pitch to celebrate in front of them after scoring at Eastlands on Saturday.

The striker, who has been heavily criticised by Arsenal fans after leaving them to join City in a lucrative deal last summer, apologised immediately after the match but has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association.

And Hatton, a box-holder at Eastlands, admits the Togo striker is due a "slap on the wrist" for his behaviour.

The two-weight world champion told Press Association sport: "I wasn't at the match because I was at a press conference in South Africa but I did manage to watch it over there.

"Obviously he was a bit naughty when he went over there to the Arsenal fans.

"Certainly you can't go over there to the away supporters and wind them up like that and he had a few little naughty tackles and stuff like that.

"But when you are playing your former club it can get heated, can't it?

"Adebayor has had a little bit of stick. Everyone said he's left Arsenal for the money.

"So he is probably a frustrated man, and tempers were very heated as it was City v Arsenal.

"So I understand why he's done it but there's still really no excuse and he deserves a slap on the wrist."