In the aftermath of Carlos Tévez refusing to play for Manchester City in the Champions League, Telegraph Sport looks at what other players, sportsmen and managers have said about the Argentine’s behaviour.
Francis Lee, former Manchester City player: “It is a severe breach of your contract and what you are supposed to do for the football club, I just can’t believe it. The world of football is full of big stars but, to my knowledge, none of them have ever done something like this before.
«This was done with some reason relating to his wanting to get away for the club because if you refuse to play you are well on your way to going. You have done it to your team-mates. You work with them every day. They are your best friends, you go through everything together, and then you go and do something like this and you have basically kicked them in the unmentionables .”
Gordon Taylor, PFA Chief Executive: “It is a serious employment issue. All the various options need to be considered because he is a human being and this is his career we are talking about. It looks as though he will be coming away from Manchester City unless there is some good mediation because Carlos has upset a lot of people, not least the manager and the fans.
«It looks a very difficult situation to retrieve if he is going to stay. In football you have a contract to go out and do the best you can and that didn’t happen so there are going to be serious repercussions.”
Pablo Zabaleta, Manchester City player: “The important thing is to keep working hard so we can grow as a team. It is already time to think about the game against Blackburn in the Premier League.”
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Andy Gray: “I don’t care what excuses he comes out with now. I’m not interested in that after what he did. He won’t be in the squad again.
“You can’t do what he did – it was so disrespectful, so unprofessional. I’ve never known anything like that. How are they going to get £45 million for him now? Why do you think Fergie got rid of him?”
Michael Gray, former England fullback: ”I have never known anything like that in my career. There have been players who have told the manager they have not wanted to play but nobody selected on the substitutes’ bench who then refused to come on.”
Robbie Savage: “As a footballer, if you are paid £1 or £200,000-a-week, if your manager asks you to go on and do a job for your team, your team-mates and the fans and you refuse to, that is a disgrace. If I was a manager that guy would never kick a ball for me again.”
Dave Wallace, editor of King of the Kippax: “A lot of City fans paid a lot of money to get over there and every reaction I have had from them is that he is totally out of order. Most fans think that is the end of Carlos Tévez at City and that is a great shame.
«It is not just a one-off, this has been going on for a while. The club has bent over backwards for him, going back to the beginning of 2010 when we gave him compassionate leave and lost vital games at that time.”
Dave Bassett, former manager: “It’s not a surprise – it has been coming. In this day and age players are aware of their power and if they want to sulk they are well capable of it It would be fantastic if the club owners told Tévez he had to see out the rest of his contract in the reserves but it will be interesting to see if they have the bottle to do it.”
Robbie Mustoe, former Middlesbrough midfielder: Carlos Tévez and Edin Dzeko set to lose their place up front to the shy, retiring & ultimate professional Mario Balotelli.
Piers Morgan: «I think Carlos Tévez needs an urgent chat with Michael Owen to learn how to stay happy on the bench.»
Graeme Swann, England cricketer: «Carlos Tévez says it was a communication problem. Flicking the bird in his language evidently means ’shall I slot in behind Silva, boss?’
Greg Coles: «Carlos Tévez has said he refused to go on the pitch because the subs’ bench was closer to his kids in Argentina.»
Matt Holland, former Ireland midfielder: “By not playing he let down himself, his manager, his team-mates, the fans and the football club. He may feel a sense of injustice at not being selected but you must always respect the manager’s decision and deal with it.”
Ruud Gullit: “I understand why he did it, but that does not make it the right thing to do. It is difficult not to play, especially in big games, but is something you have to get used to.”
Nicky Summerbee: “It’s not right, it’s not good at all. I spoke to my Dad Mike this morning and he said he could not put it any better than Harry Redknapp and Graeme Souness. I just hope the owners take their time and do the right thing.”
Ian Rush: “What City need to do is back their manager and support what Roberto Mancini wants. The biggest clubs in the world are built on a tradition of respect as well as success, and for Manchester City to get to that level they need to support their manager and ensure he is not undermined.
telegraph.co.uk