what is Tevez's game?

[tonym911]

Now I know he's a good player and that but surely refusing to play is breach of contract and grounds for instant dismissal? And leading on from that, shouldn't every footballer's contract have a clause in it which prevents them from playing for ANY team for (say) a year after such an incident, so that other teams can't benefit from their unexpected availability and the player has time to contemplate his folly? And then at the end of the one-year 'cooling off' period the whole of the transfer fee for their next move goes to charity?

[tonym911]

Not really. When big business folk leave companies they are often proscribed from working for the opposition for a fixed period of time.

[tonym911]

Melvin Udall said:

Is that a settlement leave, or a termination?

Dunno tbh, I'm not a contracts expert on any level, just a sports fan slack-jawed in amazement at the effrontery of players.

[tonym911]

'footballologist'

[tonym911]

Victor McDade said:

Tevez is a very valuable asset though. Instant dismissal would save 10-12 million/year in wages but you'd lose out on his £30+ million price tag.

But wouldn't Man City be able to sue for some/all of that on grounds of unfulfilled contract or whatever? As you can see I'm not in the legal business.

[tonym911]

What hasn't come out yet is exactly WHY Tevez chose not to play? Did he feel the game was a lost cause that he didn't want to be associated with? Was he simply trying to punish Mancini for not picking him automatically for every game? Or is he revolting against high-profile clubs having more star players than they need (which restricts an individual player's on-field exposure and effectively reduces their transfer value)? Dzeko didn't seem massively happy at being subbed to make way for Tevez. Are the players getting together to make a stand?

[tonym911]

Team mate Zabaleta yesterday: 'All players have different characters and sometimes the decision is going to be very difficult for everybody because we have too many players.'

[tonym911]

I see Dzeko has now apologised for his tetchiness at being subbed, which scotches the player revolt theory. Scholes has more or less confirmed that Dzeko's and Tevez's behaviour is down to nothing more than childish petulance. Feeble.

Off my own topic a bit, why can't football refs let play continue (with a physio on) when players are down 'injured', as in rugby?

[tonym911]

I just wonder what motivates him. Maybe he is just a bit gullible and is being totally manipulated by his agent.