Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor to pocket $510,000 after FIFA ruled in his favor over unfair sacking

Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor is $510,000 richer after the world football governing body, FIFA, ruled in his favor over the “unfair” sacking from Paraguayan football club Olimpia.

Recall that after Kayserispor released Emmanuel Adebayor on December 3, 2019, the 38-year-old Togolese striker stayed without a club for over two months before Olimpia decided to sign him on February 11, 2020.

SEA, It was about 2AM local time when I landed. Tons of you still showed up at the Airport. Thank you for such a great welcome in Paraguay. Merci là-bas ! 🇹🇬❤️❤️❤️🇵🇾💪🏾⭐️✅🔟🌍#GodFirst #LiveLife #MarechalSEA #teamSEA #AfricaUnited #228Forever #Lifesgood #25 #SEAAsuncion pic.twitter.com/SSSDV7Qkgk

— Emmanuel Adebayor (@E_Adebayor) February 14, 2020

Adebayor did not last for more than five months before the Paraguayan club decided to part ways with him abruptly even though he had months left in his contract with the club.

Note that weeks after Emmanuel Adebayor joined Olimpia, the dreaded coronavirus pandemic broke out and halted football across the world.

Hence, the former Togo international managed to make just four appearances for the Paraguayan club before things went sour between him and the club.

When football resumed the club decided to part ways with the former Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur striker which was contrary to the agreement he had with the club.

Hence, Emmanuel Adebayor and his representatives took the issue to a FIFA Tribunal seeking redress. Even though the Togolese football icon got a new deal with AC Semassi F.C., a Togolese football club based in Sokodé, he continued to push the case.

After months of back and forth, the FIFA Tribunal passed its judgment on Thursday, June 16, 2022. It declared the sacking of the former Arsenal striker as unfair and ordered the Paraguayan club to pay Adebayor 510,000 dollars (£420,000), plus 12 percent interest backdated to 2020.

While reacting to the judgment, new Olimpia president Miguel Cardona said: “There’s nothing we can do about contracts that were previously signed, but the club will change its policy on salaries, and impose a pay cap. We had a demand for payment from Adebayor. We knew he was on 200,000 dollars a month.”

Who is Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor?

Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor was born in Lome, Togo on 26 February 1984 to Nigerian parents Shadrach Adebayo Adeyi (father), and Hajia Adebayor (mother).

Since he spent all his life in Togo, he decided to play for the Togolese national team. Reports claimed that Adebayor settled for the Togolese team when the Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to invite him to the national team.

Adebayor crossed to Europe from AC Merlan Lome on July 1, 1999, when he signed for French Ligue 1 club FC Metz. On July 1, 2001, Monaco signed him for €3.20 million.

After three years at Monaco, Arsenal paid €10 million for his services on January 13, 2006. Adebayor made his name at the Emirates Stadium where he scored 62 goals and provided 22 assists in 142 games before he made a controversial switch to Manchester City for a transfer fee worth €29 million on July 18, 2009.

At City, he scored 19 goals and provided 6 assists in 45 games in all competitions for City. In between his stay at City, Adebayor made a dream move to Real Madrid on January 25, 2011, on loan.

On August 25, 2011, the former Arsenal striker joined Arsenal’s local rivals, Tottenham Hotspur on loan from Manchester City. He made the deal permanent on August 21, 2012.

Unfortunately for him, the North London club failed to renew his contract after three years. Emmanuel Adebayor left Tottenham Hotspur to become club-less after scoring 42 goals and providing 20 assists in 113 games for the London side.

¿Golazos contra Wolverhampton? 🧐

Este de @E_Adebayor. Mejor dicho… 🔥 AdebaGOL 🔥#VamosSpurs ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/s1NkxIEQ2J

— Tottenham Hotspur (@Spurs_ES) February 29, 2020

After over four months without a club, he joined Crystal Palace on January 26, 2016. From there, he had stints at Basaksehir, Kayserispor, and then Olimpia.

Adebayor is currently contracted to a Togolese club known as AC Semassi FC. He has been at the club since July 1, 2021.

Note that Emmanuel Adebayor is currently married to Charity. The marriage produced a child named Kendra in June 2010.

Adebayor’s biggest achievements in his football career are winning Africa player of the year in 2008, playing in UEFA Champions League final with Monaco in 2004, and winning Copa del Rey with Real Madrid in 2011.