Forward threatens to sue Man City after fine of nearly 1 million pounds

LONDON - Carlos Tevez's legal dispute with Manchester City has descended deeper into acrimony as the Argentine forward responded to being fined almost 1 million pounds ($1.54 million) by threatening to sue manager Roberto Mancini for defamation of character.

City fined Tevez four weeks' wages after he was found guilty of five breaches of conduct relating to his behavior during the club's UEFA Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich last month.

On the basis of City's findings, which focused on his refusal to follow instructions to warm up in the Allianz Arena, Tevez and his legal team were threatening to take action against Mancini, who claimed in post-match interviews that the player had outright refused to play.

The Argentinian international, who has not played for City since the bust-up, was also given a two-week suspension, which has been deemed to have already been served, and a written warning over his future conduct, the club said.

City said in a statement Tevez had breached five regulations including "an obligation to participate in any matches in which the player is selected to play for the club when directed by a Club official".

Furious Mancini had accused Tevez of refusing to appear as a substitute when called upon during the Bayern game on Sept 27.

The Italian manager said the striker was "finished" at the club and would never play for him again.

Tevez insisted the incident was a misunderstanding, saying he had merely refused to warm-up, claiming he had already done so.

Tevez was promptly suspended for two weeks pending a club investigation, which concluded last week.

"Following a detailed investigation and associated hearing, a disciplinary panel has upheld the charge of misconduct," City said. "Five separate breaches of contract formed the basis of the decision by the panel.

"As a result Carlos Tevez has been fined four weeks' wages and has been suspended for a period of two weeks.

"He has received a written warning as to his future conduct."

Tevez has 14 days to decide whether to lodge an appeal to the club's board of directors.

If Tevez appeals, he could take his case to the Premier League, a process which could take the saga into December.

Tevez was one of the mainstays of City's campaign last season, captaining the club to success in the FA Cup and contributing to the successful campaign to reach the Champions League.

However the striker's relationship with Mancini remained strained after his unsuccessful bids to broker a move away from Eastlands.

The arrival of Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri over the summer left Tevez further marginalized, with the player making just two starts before he was placed on the bench for the ill-fated Bayern clash.

Although he remains available for selection, it is highly likely he has played his last game for City, with the club expected to off-load him during the January transfer window. An earlier report said Tottenham manager Harry Redknappsaid he would love to sign Tevez.

AFP-China Daily