By Andrew Warshaw
September 29 – UEFA says it has no power to ban Carlos Tevez for apparently refusing to play for Manchester City in Tuesday’s Champions’ League fixture against Bayern Munich.
The Argentine striker’s behaviour in refusing to obey a request to come on as a substitute – he claims there was a misunderstanding – has made worldwide headlines amid calls for him to be thrown out of the competition.
Outraged City boss Roberto Mancini says Tevez, banned today for two weeks, will never play for him again but UEFA said the affair is a private one between City and the player.
“There is no punishment they can ask for from outside,” a UEFA spokesman told insideworldfootball.
“All they can do is not field him.”
UEFA also ruled out any hope of City replacing Tevez in their 25-man squad for the remainder of the Champions League group phase.
“They could only do this when the transfer window opens again in January and for after the group stage,” the spokesman said.
If they don’t play him up to then, that’s fine but they will only have 24 players.”
Earlier Britain’s FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce said his organisation could take the lead and that Tevez should be banned if Mancini’s version of events is right.
“I think what happened was despicable,” said Northern Irishman Boyce.
“I believe FIFA should have the power to ban the player from taking an active part in football.”
Boyce, who was speaking in a personal capacity, told Sky Sports: “If he has done what has been said, then I think his club would be better off without him.
“If Manchester City prove it, write to FIFA and state the exact circumstances that happened, I would have no problem with that whatsoever.
“If this player did what he has been accused of doing, then if Manchester City were to release him I don’t think it would be right if he could go and earn a considerable amount of money somewhere else next week.
“I would have no problems if some sanctions were imposed by FIFA in that respect.
“People within the clubs and within the top level of FIFA have to consider that if Carlos Tevez does it, who’s to stop someone else doing it the next week or the week after?”
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