Antagonising: Emmanuel Adebayor ran the length of the
pitch to celebrate in front of Arsenal fans
Emmanuel Adebayor welcomes his former club Arsenal back
to Eastlands this Sunday, just over a year after he enraged their
supporters by running the length of the field to celebrate scoring
in Manchester City’s 4-2 win.
Adebayor sank to his knees to taunt the furious away fans, who
started lobbing missiles at the man they once adored, and trying to
storm the pitch. The ensuing scandal took some time to abate.
While Roberto Mancini will be silently praying for better
judgement this Sunday from the Togo striker, we look at five other
players who who have had a torrid time when playing their old
team.
Loyalties: Wayne Rooney angered Everton fans by kissing
the United badge
England striker Rooney played for Everton's youth team from the
age of 10, so when he transferred to Manchester United in 2004
after just two professional seasons, the fans turned on him.
In October 2008, when United played at Goodison Park, the home
fans jeered as Rooney was harshly booked for a foul on Mikel
Arteta.
He then pointed at the away fans and kissed his club badge, and
was hurriedly substituted.
Tevez had a public altercation with former team-mate Gary
Neville after moving across Manchester from United to City in July
2009.
When the Argentinian striker equalised against United in January
2010, he made a 'be quiet' signal to Neville on the bench – and the
defender responded with an obscene hand gesture.
The row apparently came in response to Neville's earlier
observations that United had been right to let Tevez go.
Keep quiet: Carlos Tevez (left) taunts Gary Neville
after scoring against United, prompting an obscene reaction
The England midfielder has faced aggression from West Ham fans
ever since leaving his father's club for London rivals Chelsea in
2001.
In April 2009, after a radio phone-in presenter called him
'scum' over his personal life, Lampard hit back at Upton Park, with
John Terry's backing.
Hate figure: Frank Lampard has never been forgiven by
West Ham fans for joining Chelsea
After smashing home the game's only goal he made a two-fisted
salute at the fans, as they hurled objects back at him.
Figo was sold by Barcelona to bitter enemies Real Madrid in
2000.
When the Portuguese midfielder returned to play Barca in
November 2002, he endured jeers and whistles whenever he went near
the ball.
The home crowd lobbed golf balls and coins at him when he took
corners and throw-ins - even throwing a pig's head at him -
although Barcelona president Joan Gaspart claimed Figo was
provoking the crowd by time-wasting.
Protection: Luis Figo required a hefty security escort
on his return to the Camp Nou, as fans threw all sorts at him
Left-back Cole made a dramatic exit from Arsenal for Chelsea in
August 2006 for £5,000 extra per week, claiming that the Gunners
had 'fed him to the sharks'.
It prompted a heavy police presence when Arsenal visited
Stamford Bridge that December, where 'Cashley' was booed and
mocked, and fake Bank of Russia notes with his face on them were
doled out.
He was booked after 30 minutes for a challenge on Alexander
Hleb.
Cashley: The motive behind Ashley Cole's move is what
upset Arsenal fans most
