Manchester City boss livid after striker refuses to enter game

MUNICH, Germany - Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has insisted striker Carlos Tevez is "finished" with the club after he refused to go on in the defeat at Bayern Munich in Tuesday's Champions League match.

"Yes, he refused to go on," confirmed Mancini, who had wanted to make Tevez his second substitution during City's 2-0 defeat in Munich.

"I don't know, but with me he is finished," fumed the Italian when asked where Tevez's future lies now and added the decision to sell Tevez is in the hands of City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

"Yes, I am really disappointed, because he is Carlos.

"When one player refuses to go on to help his teammates in a match as important as this, it is very disappointing."

The former City captain has had a troubled time at City since being released from Manchester United in 2009, with Tevez even handing in a written transfer request last December citing family reasons and a break-down in relations with the club.

The matter was later resolved with Mancini saying he thought the Argentian star would stay, though he did take away his role as captain.

Tevez for his part later spoke briefly through an interpreter to Sky Sports.

"It is his (Mancini's) decision," he said.

"I've been professional in the last year. This last year I was the best scorer and I put my opinion through that I wanted to leave for family reasons, but I keep trying to do my best."

His latest tantrum at Munich's Allianz Arena has left Mancini with little room to manoeuver.

"He refused to warm up, he was going to be my second substitution," said Mancini

"If one player earns a lot of money for Manchester City and refuses to go on, for me, he is finished.

"If we want to improve, Carlos can't play with us, he is finished.

"We will speak about this with the chairman in the next few days.

"He is the chairman, he makes the decision."

Tevez's anger stems from Mancini's decision to bring off striker Edin Dezko and replace him with defender Nigel de Jong after 56 minutes, instead of the Argentinian.

Dzeko was visibly unhappy with the substitution and could also be disciplined.

"I can understand one player is disappointed, but I am the manager I decide everything, every manager has the right to make these decisions," said the Italian.

"For Dzeko, it is different to Tevez, but that is the last time a player has this sort of behavior."

Germany striker Mario Gomez scored twice for Bayern, which gave the winner its 10th straight victory.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 09/29/2011 page24)