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Disgruntled Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez is considering suing manager Roberto Mancini for defamation of character, according to a report from the BBC.
Tevez may investigate legal action after the Argentine was effectively found guilty by City of refusing to play in a Champions League game against Bayern Munich and fined four weeks' wages. The striker has 14 days to appeal the decision, and should any such internal action fail, Tevez is expected to take the matter further.
It is understood Tevez and his advisors feel the five reasons given by the club for upholding the charge of misconduct are false. In such a circumstance, Mancini's comments immediately following the game stating the striker refused to take to the pitch could be interpreted as defamation.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have revealed they are in no hurry to offload Tevez despite the ongoing problems with the player. The club valued the 27-year-old, their top scorer and inspiration during last season's FA Cup-winning campaign, at more than £40 million earlier this year.
A club spokesman said: "I can confirm that following a call between Roberto and the chairman [Khaldoon Al Mubarak] today, the club's formal position is that no offer for Carlos Tevez will be considered unless it reflects true market value."
It is believed that the club will allow Mancini to decide what happens to Tevez over the remainder of his contract, which expires in 2014. The striker has been training alone since returning from suspension almost a fortnight ago and has not played since September 21.
The club has written to the Professional Footballers Association for ratification of the fine.The five contractual obligations found by the disciplinary panel to have been breached are:
1. An obligation to participate in any matches in which the player is selected to play for the club when directed by a club official.
2. An obligation to undertake such other duties and to participate in such other activities as are consistent with the performance of the player's duties and as are reasonably required of him.
3. An obligation to comply with and act in accordance with all lawful instructions of any authorised official of the club.
4. An obligation to observe the statutes and regulations of FIFA and UEFA, the FA Rules, the League Rules, the Code of Practice and the Club rules, including but not limited to breach of Rule E3(1) of the FA Rules (obligation on the player at all times to act in the best interests of the game and not act in any manner which is improper or which brings the game into disrepute).
5. An obligation not to knowingly or recklessly do anything or omit to do anything which is likely to bring the club or the game of football into disrepute or cause the player or the club to be in breach of the rules (as defined in the contract) or cause damage to the club.
Carlos Tevez has the right to appeal this decision to the board of the club. Any appeal must be made within 14 days.
Osun Defender