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Tevez slapped with 2-week ban

Comment: 0 September 29th, 2011 by: admin

MANCHESTER City striker Carlos Tevez was suspended by his club for his defiant behaviour and later apologised for his wrongdoing.

The Argentine striker was slapped with a maximum two-week ban and could be sacked pending the outcome of an accompanying investigation that has been ordered. It is the longest suspension allowed under players’ union guidelines.

His penalty was decided after a meeting between City chairman Khaldoon Al Mulbarak, manager Roberto Mancini, chief executive John McBeath and the club’s lawyers.

Tevez’s woes all stemmed from his refusal to play during City’s Champions League game against Bayern Munich last Tuesday.

His defiance angered Mancini who later said that if he had his way, he would want Tevez to be out of his team. Mancini filed a complaint later against Tevez and this was the basis of the team officials’ decision. City lost 0-2 against Munich.

The 27-year-old Tevez said it was just a case of misunderstanding but he was slapped with the punitive action just the same.

In a statement, Tevez said: “I would like to apologise to all Manchester City fans, with whom I have always had a strong relationship, for any misunderstanding that occurred in Munich.’’

Tevez added he had warmed up and was ready to play but insisted that this is not the right time to get into specific details as to why the incident happened. “But I wish to state that I have never refused to play.’’

Mancini was supposed to tap Tevez for Samir Nasri with 30 minutes to go and City trailing 0-2.

Tevez said his position may just have been misunderstood since according to him there was some confusion on the bench. “Going forward I am ready to play when required and to fulfil my obligations.’’

Mancini got a support from FIFA Vice President Jim Boyce who described Tevez’s petulance as “despicable.’’

Boyce said City would be better off without Tevez, who captained City last season and was a key figure in their FA Cup success in May as the club lifted their first major trophy since 1976.

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