Adebayor denies he 'asked for a shot of whisky' at failed Lyon meeting
Days after Emmanuel Adebayor's proposed move to Lyon dissolved, both parties have come out to divulge the reasons why, and according to Les Gones gaffer Bruno Genesio, the circumstances are rather peculiar.
"We had a place in our squad for Manu, so I arranged to meet him for a coffee in Lyon. But, to my surprise, when he arrived he asked for a shot of whisky in his coffee," Genesio reportedly said, according to Sky Sports.
"He also had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth."
Related: Adebayor left fuming after Lyon pulls plug on transfer
Understandably upset, Adebayor claims that the comments first reported in France are mythical, and that the reporter responsible is slated to apologise for his gaffe.
"Usually I do not comment on any transfer negotiations or speculation but this time certain matters need to be cleared up," Adebayor said in a statement.
"This was a report that came out of a French newspaper and is not only ludicrous and ridiculous but was meant as a joke by the journalist. The statements have been retracted and the journalist is currently drafting an apology."
Adebayor continued, saying, "Unfortunately the press in other countries couldn't see that the journalist was being highly sarcastic and rewrote the story.
"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."
Tardy to the party, Adebayor claims that factors not including a few fingers of whiskey and a smoke were responsible for the failed move.
"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."
In light of Adebayor's lateness, the club opted instead for 19-year-old Jean-Philippe Mateta, who Lyon signed to a five-year deal from third-tier LB Chatearoux.
"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."
Still without a club after the move to Lyon fell apart, Adebayor may fancy having a drink now to cool his nerves after this fiasco.