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Redknapp disgust at taunting of Adebayor

Arsenal fans sing about Togo shooting – Spurs manager insists they 'need help'

Sam Wallace
Monday 03 October 2011 00:00 BST
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Adebayor was targeted by Arsenal fans
Adebayor was targeted by Arsenal fans

Harry Redknapp last night condemned Arsenal chants about Emmanuel Adebayor during the north London derby as "disgusting" after the Tottenham striker was taunted over the incident in which his Togolese national team coach was shot at in Angola in January last year.

There were unsavoury songs sung by both sets of supporters during Spurs' 2-1 win in which goals from Rafael van der Vaart and Kyle Walker gave the home side victory. Spurs fans sung their customary unrepeatable song about Arsène Wenger. From the Arsenal fans there were references in very poor taste to the recent Tottenham riots and the incident at the African Cup of Nations in which three people were killed.

Redknapp said: "It was disgusting [and] there was some pretty disgusting chanting at me – that's life. How can you sing this? You can't be right mentally, you need help. How do you bring up kids to sing a song about Manchester United [in reference to Munich chants]? How do you do that as a parent, singing about the greatest football team ever seen – the Busby Babes. It's scary. What are those kids going to be in years to come. I dread to think."

There was a stand-off between Wenger and Spurs coach Clive Allen at the end of the game when the Arsenal manager refused to shake hands with the former player. Wenger appeared to beckon Allen, who was restrained by fellow staff, down the tunnel. Although the Arsenal manager refused to comment he responded "Exactly" when asked whether Allen had tried to put himself centre-stage. Allen said later: "He refused to shake my hand. He says he didn't see or hear me. But he's 'two-bob'."

Redknapp said Adebayor responded in the right way. "He regretted last time [when playing for Manchester City]. Even then what did he really do?"

Bacary Sagna will be out for three months after breaking his leg when falling awkwardly yesterday. Wenger said: "We are very worried about his injury... the first signs don't look good. It is his fibula at the ankle." Sagna will have an operation today.

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