Harpreet Seehra
Elite
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini again would not answer questions on the ongoing situation involving striker Carlos Tevez.
Mancini, who has not spoken significantly on the matter since accusing Tevez of refusing to play at Bayern Munich on September 27, addressed the media to preview their game against Wolves.
But, as has become customary at City in recent weeks, Mancini's press conference was preceded by a warning to reporters from a club official that the subject was off the agenda.
City consider the matter closed in that they have found Tevez guilty of misconduct and issued a fine, but they anticipate an appeal from the player.
Press Association Sport also understands Tevez is considering suing Mancini for defamation of character over the matter and the Italian is remaining guarded at such a delicate stage.
City concluded after a lengthy investigation that Tevez had committed five breaches of contract in relation to his conduct on the bench for the Champions League game at the Allianz Arena.
One of those included a refusal to play following claims from Mancini immediately after the match that the Argentinian did not want to come on as a second-half substitute.
Tevez, however, has contended throughout that he only refused to warm up and blamed a misunderstanding for the fiasco.
The Professional Footballers' Association have backed the 27-year-old's stance and refused to sanction a fine above the maximum two weeks' wages the club are permitted to impose without their ratification.
City had intended to fine Tevez four weeks' wages - thought to be around £800,000 - but have now halved that following the PFA's intervention.
The PFA have also said the reasons given for Tevez's guilty verdict - published on the club's website on Tuesday - do not relate to a charge read at the player's disciplinary hearing of failing to resume warming up.
A statement read: "The PFA's opinion, based on all the evidence presented, is that Carlos Tevez never refused to play for the club.
"This is accepted by the club in that the charge against Carlos made at the hearing was not one of refusing to play."
City, however, are understood to remain unmoved in their assertion that Tevez refused to play.
Mancini, who has not spoken significantly on the matter since accusing Tevez of refusing to play at Bayern Munich on September 27, addressed the media to preview their game against Wolves.
But, as has become customary at City in recent weeks, Mancini's press conference was preceded by a warning to reporters from a club official that the subject was off the agenda.
City consider the matter closed in that they have found Tevez guilty of misconduct and issued a fine, but they anticipate an appeal from the player.
Press Association Sport also understands Tevez is considering suing Mancini for defamation of character over the matter and the Italian is remaining guarded at such a delicate stage.
City concluded after a lengthy investigation that Tevez had committed five breaches of contract in relation to his conduct on the bench for the Champions League game at the Allianz Arena.
One of those included a refusal to play following claims from Mancini immediately after the match that the Argentinian did not want to come on as a second-half substitute.
Tevez, however, has contended throughout that he only refused to warm up and blamed a misunderstanding for the fiasco.
The Professional Footballers' Association have backed the 27-year-old's stance and refused to sanction a fine above the maximum two weeks' wages the club are permitted to impose without their ratification.
City had intended to fine Tevez four weeks' wages - thought to be around £800,000 - but have now halved that following the PFA's intervention.
The PFA have also said the reasons given for Tevez's guilty verdict - published on the club's website on Tuesday - do not relate to a charge read at the player's disciplinary hearing of failing to resume warming up.
A statement read: "The PFA's opinion, based on all the evidence presented, is that Carlos Tevez never refused to play for the club.
"This is accepted by the club in that the charge against Carlos made at the hearing was not one of refusing to play."
City, however, are understood to remain unmoved in their assertion that Tevez refused to play.
