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So the Carlos Tevez affair continues to rumble along nicely. First a quick recap.
August 2006 – Sky Sports reports that Tevez is refusing to play for his club, Corinthians. At the end of August, it is confirmed that both he and Javier Mascherano have been signed for English club, West Ham United. In November, he leaves the ground early after being substituted. Shortly after, he throws a tantrum during a league match with Sheffield United. He helps West Ham avoid relegation, scoring the only goal in the last game against Manchester United. Despite being under contract until 2010, Tevez seals a £20 million move to the Manchester club.
2007-2009 – Tevez becomes an important player for the Red Devils, scoring in each of their campaigns, including the first goal during the Champions League Final penalty shoot-out. In May 2009, Tevez voices his dissatisfaction at having not been offered a permanent contract, saying his Manchester career will finish that summer. Despite United agreeing to meet the fee of over £25 million, and a five year contract which would have made him one of United’s highest paid players, his advisors inform Manchester United that he no longer wishes to play for the club.
July 2009 – Reports rule out a move to Liverpool for the wantaway striker, because of the implications for a Manchester United player moving to their bitter rivals. Despite this, Tevez signs a five year contract with close rivals, Manchester City, becoming the first player to move between the two clubs since Terry Cooke in 1999. Once again, he becomes an important club player, breaking his own goal scoring records and receiving two club awards.
December 2010 – Four months after being made club captain, he hands in a transfer request, citing both family reasons and a breakdown in relations with certain club officials. A senior City official described his reasons as ‘ludicrous and nonsensical.’ Tevez swiftly withdraws the request following talks, this time reaffirming ‘absolute commitment to the club.’
September 2011 – Tevez refuses to come off the bench in a Champions League game against Bayern Munich. Tevez offers a weak excuse, calling it a misunderstanding while receiving widespread condemnation from commentators and pundits worldwide. Mancini suspends the player for two weeks while an investigation is carried out. Following discussions with the clubs owner, Sheikh Mansour, Tevez is placed on gardening leave, instructed to stay away from the training ground, despite retaining his salary.
And all the while, his career has been tainted by his long standing arrangement with Media Sports Investments, who own his rights, and, more specifically, his representative, Kia Joorabchian, who appears to be pulling a great many strings behind the scenes. Fast forward to the end of 2011, and reports are claiming meetings between AC Milan and Joorabchian, seeking a loan move for Tevez during the January transfer window, with the possibility of a full time deal. The question here is, why would Milan want to take on the burden of such a player?
With Tevez, many things are clear. Firstly, there are concerns over Joorabchian and Media Sports Investments, who, it would appear, have an agenda of a monetary nature. Secondly, Carlos Tevez is a person and player to whom loyalty is a concept unknown. Tevez may kiss the club badge on his shirt, and proclaim the fans to be the best in the world, but when he gets sick of his club, no contract, fans or certainly any semblance of loyalty will hold him back from getting away. Thirdly, Tevez has a blatant disregard for rules. This has never been as clear as during his time playing for City. There is no need to go into the happenings pitch side during the game against Bayern Munich. Not to mention his repeated insistence on flying home to Argentina against his manager, his employers, wishes.
So think to yourselves, AC Milan. Is this player really worth the hassle, not to mention the €8 million loan cost and a further €18 million if you choose to buy him? Sure, he might score you some goals, and help you advance towards being genuine contenders for Champions League glory. But ask yourselves this – how can you be certain he’ll be there at the end of the summer? Sure, he may sign a contract, but ol’ Carlos has wiggled his way out of more contracts than you’ve won Champions Leagues.
A rap on the knuckles for Mr. Tevez is not enough. If there was any justice in the world, Tevez would be stripped of any salary, and banned from playing football, for a minimum of five years. Perhaps then he would gain a sense of perspective. Highly unlikely, but worth a shot. Failing that, Manchester City should refuse to either loan or sell him off. Instead, they should play him the required 10% of matches, so he cannot break his contract under the Bosman ruling. Then, he should be left to rot until his contract expires in 2014.
It is getting to the stage where the football world is sick to death of hearing about the ungrateful and undeserving footballer. If FIFA won’t step in, then we are begging you Tevez. Please go away. And don’t come back.
