Real Madrid striker Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor has rejected claims by his brother that he has neglected the family despite being a wealthy footballer.
Peter Adebayor told Joy FM on Monday the former Arsenal has driven him out of a house he rented for him and his mother and has refused to pay for the upkeep of their mum.
The elder brother of the on-loan striker alleged that since he returned from the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Emmanuel has wriggled himself out of his responsibilities towards the entire family.
But the Togo international striker, who keeps a home in Ghana, has revealed a tale of betrayal despite several attempts to help his family.
“It is totally inappropriate and unethical to come public with what I have done for my mother but people who live in Togo will confess to the utmost care I have given her, my immediate and extended family over the years to date,†Adebayor said in a statement.
“The motives of Peter are clear to me given that I have vowed not to deal with him again after the countless number of times I have helped him in cash and kind to help better his life by trying to set him up in business. On all occasions he wasted the money and could not account for it.
“Peter currently lives in one of my houses in Lome with his wife and children for free. He drives a car and motorbike I bought, for no charge.
“Peter claims I have neglected my mum. My mum lives in one of my houses in Lome with all bills paid. My mother drives in a Porsche Cayenne I provided.
“He’s trying to use my mother to get me to fund his luxurious lifestyle when he’s unemployed.
“Tell Peter that he’s elder brother and I have done enough for him. Let him get off his backside and do something for himself. He should not use the cheap propaganda to use the media to gain public sympathy for his wretched course.â€
The former Arsenal striker sent his junior brother Anthony Rotimi Adebayor to his former French club Metz four years ago but refused to sign him as he failed to impress.
The Real Madrid player pleaded with Metz to keep him while he paid his wages but Rotimi was sacked months later for gross indiscipline.
Emmanuel is known in Togo and Ghana for his generosity towards his family, footballers and the needy.
The Real Madrid has been funding the upkeep of Togolese goalkeeper Kojovi Obilale who nearly lost his life after being shot before the African Cup of Nations in Angola last year.
Below is the full text of Emmanuel Adebayor's reaction to his brother's claims:
Dear Sir/Madam,
My attention has been drawn to an interview your radio station had with my elder brother Peter Adebayor on Monday, 14th February 2011.
I am utterly disgusted by the outright lies Peter made on your radio station which was calculated to damage my reputation and measured to bring me to public ridicule.
I will state emphatically that I have NEVER and WILL NEVER shirk my responsibility towards my mother and utterly reject Peter’s false claims of physically attacking my mum.
It is totally inappropriate and unethical to come public with what I have done for my mother but people who live in Togo will confess to the utmost care I have given her, my immediate and extended family over the years to date.
The motives of Peter are clear to me given that I have vowed not to deal with him again after the countless number of times I have helped him in cash and kind to help better his life by trying to set him up in business. On all occasions he wasted the money and could not account for it.
I want to state the following facts:
- Peter currently lives in one of my houses in Lome with his wife and children for free. He drives a car and motorbike I bought, for no charge.
- Peter claims I have neglected my mum. My mum lives in one of my houses in Lome with all bills paid. My mother drives in a Porsche Cayenne I provided.
- The public can remember that on my 2009 Caf Player of the Year award ceremony and BBC African Player of the Year ceremony my mum was my guest on stage. Does she look like someone I don’t take care of?
- Just some months ago when I was in England, my mum came on a month’s holiday with me. God knows how much I spent on her.
- I have spent thousands and thousands of pounds setting up businesses for many members of my family. Most of them blew of the money, with Peter being the chief culprit. I have set him up on several businesses. He messed all up. He’s trying to use my mother to get me to fund his luxurious lifestyle when he’s unemployed.
- Tell Peter that he’s elder brother and I have done enough for him. Let him get off his backside and do something for himself. He should not use the cheap propaganda to use the media to gain public sympathy for his wretched course.
- I won’t delve into the details of what I have done for my family but God is my witness.
Thank you.
Signed
Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor