CARLOS TEVEZ has risked further and severe disciplinary action by Manchester City after failing to travel from Argentina for scheduled talks with his club yesterday. There is no indication as to when the striker does plan to return to England.
Tevez travelled to his family home in Buenos Aires without City’s permission last week, in the latest chapter of an increasingly fractious situation. City demanded that their former captain returned for talks with club officials at their training ground yesterday.
Not only did Tevez fail to appear, no timescale has been offered for his return. City have refused to comment on Tevez’s latest actions in an attempt to avoid what a spokesman for the club said could become a “counter-briefing scenario”.
It is known, however, that the Premier League leaders were already taking the advice of lawyers and considering handing their player a club-record fine before his non-appearance yesterday.
A previous, four-week sanction imposed on Tevez was reduced after the interventions of the English Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA). The PFA also refused to comment on Tevez’s decision to remain in Argentina.
The Tevez camp claimed yesterday that they were unaware of further disciplinary proceedings. They also distanced themselves – for the time being – from a radio report in Argentina that said Tevez would send a medical certificate to City in a bid to explain his absence. A source close to Tevez said it was “incredibly premature” to consider the possibility of the striker’s contract being terminated before the transfer window reopens.
Tevez’s representatives and City’s officials held a series of weekend discussions about the situation. All parties are believed to agree that a January move for the striker away from his current club is the preferred scenario. How such a transfer would come about, though, is difficult to envisage, as City show no signs of backing down from Tevez’s earlier value of €46.75 million.
Boca Juniors, one of the clubs linked with a move for Tevez, have said they do not have the funds to sign him. Tevez was afforded hero status during an earlier spell at Boca.
Yet Jorge Amor Ameal, the Boca president, said: “Carlos is deservedly a very important figure here. But from the economic point it is impossible. I did talk to him and I lent him our support.”
Reports in Italy said Milan may be ready to join their city rivals, Inter, in monitoring Tevez’s situation.
John Terry has revealed his frustration at being unable to defend himself publicly against allegations of racial abuse made by QPR’s Anton Ferdinand. “I wish I could have come last week (and conducted pre-match media duties) as captain of the side but the manager spoke to me and said he had decided to rest me,” said Terry, who will captain England against Sweden at Wembley in their friendly clash tonight.
“I’m here now and I’m very proud to be England captain. Nothing’s changed for me. I would have dealt with it last week too in my own way, like I am now.
“I’m not someone to hide away. I’ve never done things any differently and I won’t do things differently in the future. Unfortunately I can’t speak (about the incident). We all understand that, what with the police and the FA.
Meanwhile, Celtic are to face proceedings from Uefa’s control and disciplinary panel, which is investigating claims of offensive chanting during the Europa League game against Rennes at Parkhead on November 3rd.
The police match commander at that game informed Uefa’s match delegate of singing from a section of the Celtic support. The delegate’s report has, in turn, triggered intervention from the control and disciplinary body.
Celtic are said to be surprised by that move after Strathclyde police said yesterday that the alleged songs in question relate to support for the IRA. The police also say a criminal inquiry has been launched.
