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Barclays Premier League table

Thursday, 16 December 2010 00:00 UK
Position Team P GD PTS Full Barclays Premier League table 1 Man Utd 16 20 34 2 Arsenal 17 15 32 3 Man City 17 11 32 4 Chelsea 17 19 31 5 Tottenham 17 3 27 6 Bolton 17 6 26 7 Sunderland 17 2 24 8 Newcastle 17 1 22 9 Liverpool 17 -1 22 10 Blackpool 16 -5 22 11 West Brom 17 -5 22 12 Stoke 17 -1 21 13 Blackburn 17 -5 21 14 Aston Villa 17 -9 20 15 Everton 17 -2 18 16 Birmingham 17 -3 18 17 Fulham 17 -4 16 18 Wigan 17 -15 16 19 Wolves 17 -12 15 20 West Ham 17 -15 12

 

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[video]http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/9280202.stm[/video]

 

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Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has faith in his ability

Hodgson has struggled to improve Liverpool's away form


Roy Hodgson does not believe any other manager could get more out of the Liverpool team given current resources.
Liverpool's manager, who had "great confidence" in his ability, said "Whoever takes my place will be in a similar job with similar players."
That would remain so "unless there is a major inflow of cash into the club and the team is going to be changed from one moment to the next".
The Reds lie ninth in the Premier League nine points off a top-four spot.
Since Hodgson took over at Anfield on 1 July, following Rafael Benitez's departure in June, Liverpool have had a change of ownership with New England Sports Ventures [NESV] taking over from Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

NESV's John W Henry, speaking during a phone-in on the club's in-house television channel on Monday, said the team's form towards the end of last season and so far this campaign has been "unacceptable", although Hodgson says he has the support of the club's hierarchy.
"The owners have made it perfectly clear they are in it for the long term and they are going to be patient," said the 63-year-old Hodgson. "They realise it is going to take time.
"They realise we can't turn things around overnight and they also realise that the team I am working with is not the team I put together.
"You don't turn things around overnight and they are aware of the magnitude of the task but they are very focused on what needs to be done and I am convinced they will help me get it done."
An area of particular concern for Hodgson is his side's poor Premier League away form, with a record so far of six defeats - the latest a 3-1 loss at Newcastle on Saturday - two draws and one win.

606: DEBATE
Not all doom n gloom guys ... even though that result at the weekend was a really sucker punch


Stuart

However, Hodgson showed signs of frustration over constant questions about his future ahead of the Europa League group game against FC Utrecht at Anfield on Wednesday.
The Reds have secured top spot in Group K and qualified for the last 32 in the competition with a game to spare.
"It doesn't bother me because I can't do more than I am doing, I can't work harder, I can't work better," added Hodgson, whose team play his former club Fulham at home in the league on Saturday evening.
"I have great confidence in my ability, I don't think there is any reason not to have.
"I know the players are working as hard as they can to win matches for Liverpool and therefore me as manager."

 

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Spurs chairman Daniel Levy makes Bale promise

Bale has received rave reviews this season


Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has reassured the club's fans that Gareth Bale will not be sold.
The 21-year-old midfielder, whose contract runs until 2014, has received rave reviews this season with some superb displays, notably in Europe.
"I've never deemed us to be a selling club if you look at the big transfers which have taken place since I've been chairman," said Levy at the club's AGM.
"Gareth has got a long contract and I can assure you he will not be sold."
Bale has scored nine goals this season, five in the league to keep Spurs in touch with the leading pack in fifth place, four points behind Chelsea in fourth spot.

606: DEBATE
Is Gareth Bale the best winger in the Premier League?
The Welsh international has struck four Champions League goals, including a hat-trick against Inter Milan in Tottenham's 4-3 defeat in the San Siro, while he played a key part in Spurs 3-1 win over the Champions League holders in the match at White Hart Lane.
However if Levy rejected the idea of cashing in on Bale, he admitted that the Spurs squad needed trimming - though not immediately.
"The January transfer window is again upon us. We currently have the largest squad in the Premier League," added the Spurs chairman at Tuesday's AGM.
"We shall look to rationalise...Overall, we do not anticipate a busy transfer window."
However Levy dead-batted questions regarding the possibility of manager Harry Redknapp, whose contract runs until 2013, succeeding Fabio Capello as England coach.
"Harry is on a long-term contract. If and when they contact us we will have to deal with it accordingly," said the Spurs chairman.

 

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Strip Carlos Tevez of Manchester City armband - Rosler

Tevez has scored 10 goals in 18 appearances this season

Ex-Manchester City striker Uwe Rosler says Carlos Tevez should be stripped of the captaincy and allowed to leave.
Argentina forward Tevez has returned to training after having a transfer request rejected last weekend.
But Rosler, who played 177 games for the club, told BBC Radio Manchester: "I'd take the captaincy away, 100%.
"In the long term it is important that every player is totally committed to City. I would let him go as long as the price is right."
City are believed to have paid Tevez's advisors, who owned his economic rights, £25.5m to sign him in 2009 following a two-year spell with rivals Manchester United.
But less than 17 months into a five-year contract, the 26-year-old claimed his relations with "certain executives" at City had "broken down beyond repair".
Tevez reportedly said that family reasons were behind his decision to look for a move and stressed that he had "no personal issue" with manager Roberto Mancini, despite their touchline altercation during a 1-0 victory over Bolton on 4 December.
BBC Sport understands the former Boca Juniors, Corinthians and West Ham player will not be sold in January, although Rosler feels City's wealth would ensure an adequate replacement could be found if he were to depart.
The Eastlands outfit was taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group in September 2008 and owner Sheikh Mansour has spent heavily on transfers and wages in his first two years at the helm.

DAN ROAN'S BLOG
Some may understandably ask precisely what City expected when they signed the Argentine given Joorabchian and Tevez are no strangers to controversy


"City have to get the money back for him," insisted Rosler, who recently suggested losing Tevez could have a "disastrous affect" on City's bid to become a major force in European football.
"They are fortunately in a very good position regarding the owners and replacing Tevez. You should have a dressing room with more harmony and spirit with everyone driving in the same direction," he added.
"Look at Chelsea and Manchester United - when they were winning titles there was not so much noise as there is coming out of the City dressing room."
Tevez was handed the captain's armband by Mancini last summer but has previously criticised the Italian's training methods and the pair clashed in the dressing room at half-time during October's victory against Newcastle.
And the striker also worried supporters by suggesting he could retire from football completely to enable him to spend more time with his wife and children in Argentina.
Speaking on the Blue Tuesday programme, Rosler stated: "City supporters idolise Tevez because of the way he is playing and the way he is leading by example on the field.
"But we have seen the other side when he is not living up to his responsibility as club captain off the field. He has been making strange comments about his future, about his ambitions in football and lately handing in a transfer request.
"That is disappointing and difficult to understand."
Tevez is expected to miss City's Europa League match against Juventus on Thursday, and Mancini might also be without fellow striker Mario Balotelli.
The former Inter Milan forward suffered racial abuse at the hands of some Juve supporters during Inter's trip to the Olympic Stadium last season.
He was also targeted by a number of his own fans during Italy's friendly against Romania in Austria in November.
If Tevez and Balotelli are missing, Mancini will be short of attacking options as Roque Santa Cruz is not in their squad list, leaving Emmanuel Adebayor and Jo as the only senior strikers.
Mancini apparently made the decision to rest Tevez for the Juve match before last weekend, knowing the game was a dead rubber.
City and Lech Poznan are already through to the next stage of the tournament while Juventus, now second in Serie A, were eliminated.
Mancini is already back in Italy for a minor eye operation and will probably not speak to Tevez before Friday, although his first thoughts on the situation should come at a press conference in Turin on Wednesday.

 

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Tottenham's Ledley King gets driving ban for speeding

King was found to have been travelling at 105mph
Tottenham and England footballer Ledley King has been banned from driving after he was caught speeding.
King, 30, of Cuffley, Hertfordshire, admitted breaking a 70mph limit as he drove a Mercedes CL on the A14 near Newmarket in Suffolk on 29 June.
He argued he had been travelling at no more than 95mph, but Sudbury magistrates ruled the police speed gun reading of 105mph was accurate.
They banned him from driving for 56 days.
King was also fined £800 and ordered to pay £250 costs.
King also admitted the Mercedes had tinted side windows which allowed an "insufficient transmission of light" and was fined another £100.
Prosecutor Lesla Small said King was clocked on a dual carriageway with a 70mph limit at Exning shortly after 2200 BST on 29 June.
She said police had noticed the car's tinted windows after stopping King.
Phillip Lucas, defending, said the footballer had six penalty points after he was twice clocked travelling "moderately" over 30mph limits in 2009.

 

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Sporting Kansas City's Teal Bunbury in Stoke City trial

Bunbury (r) played against Manchester United in a friendly in July

Stoke City have handed a week's trial to Sporting Kansas City's United States international striker Teal Bunbury.
The 20-year-old scored for the reserves in a 3-1 defeat by Wigan on Tuesday.
Coach Dave Kemp told BBC Radio Stoke: "We're looking to see how he can fit in. It doesn't mean a signing is imminent, it's a chance to have a look.
"He's got some power, got some pace, he can score, but that's a long way from us signing him, we haven't even discussed it yet."
Bunbury made his international debut against South Africa last month, and was playing in a youth tournament in Spain when he was invited to train with the Potters last week.
The former Canada Under-20 international scored five goals in 26 appearances last season for his club side, then called Kansas City Wizards.

 

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Blackburn in no rush to appoint new manager

Blackburn's owners Balaji Rao (left) and brother Venkatesh


Blackburn Rovers say "it could be a couple of months" before they appoint a manager to replace Sam Allardyce.
Allardyce was sacked by the club on Monday and Steve Kean was placed in temporary charge of the first team.
"It's a very prestigious decision so we have to take some time," said Venkatesh Rao, one of the club's owners.
"There's nothing personal against Sam," he added. "He's a very sweet and nice person, but we want a younger and more energetic appointment."
Allardyce was sacked despite Blackburn sitting 13th in a very congested Premier League table, just three points behind Sunderland in seventh.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Rao added: "It was a very difficult decision but it was done to improve the situation at the club.
"We want to do good for the club and want to see it doing well, like every other owner wants."

606: DEBATE
Yes Sam has his enemies and his critics but no one could have forseen this move


Roverblue

The club, who are now without a manager with the January transfer window approaching, appear to prefer a British manager to succeed Allardyce but are also keeping their options open.
Anuradha Desai, chairwoman of the club's Venky Group owners, told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "Our thinking now is that it will be a British manager, but we are open if there is an outstanding candidate who would be really, really good for the club.
"Right now Steve Kean will take over while we are looking for someone to take over on a permanent basis.
"Steve is a hard worker and he is doing a very good job as a coach.
"We have been studying him and have been very impressed. He works long hours and is talented at his job."
Blackburn became the first Indian-owned Premier League club when they were taken over by the Rao family, who own the Venky's group, in a £43m deal in November.
Their decision to part company with Allardyce came as a surprise to the club's players, captain Ryan Nelsen saying he did not see it coming "in his wildest dreams".
But, even though a difference of opinion in the way forward for the Ewood Park outfit appears to have sealed Allardyce's exit, Desai has asked Rovers fans to trust the new owners.
"We do not mean anything bad for Sam Allardyce but we feel that we need to take the club up in the league and grow," she added.

"We want Blackburn to be fourth or fifth in the league or even better. It is not about the Bolton match. It has been a long time in our minds.
"It is nothing against Sam but we have a different vision looking forward and we want the club to grow.
"We had been talking to Sam for the past few weeks and he did not fit in with our vision for the club's future.
"We wanted good football, wanted the games to be interesting and, of course, wanted to win and to have good players.
"We needed to make some changes and Sam going is of course the main change. This is a major step - but we thought 'why delay?'.
"The fans should trust us and have belief because this is in the best interests of the club."
Ever since Allardyce's sacking on Monday, bookmakers have been speculating over his successor, with former Tottenham boss Martin Jol and ex-Newcastle manager Chris Hughton among the frontrunners.
Former Blackburn captain Tim Sherwood is also being linked with the job but says he is content working as assistant coach to Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp.
"I'm happy learning under the best manager you could possibly have at the moment," said Sherwood.
"I'm busy gaining my qualifications at a great club but who knows when new opportunities arise? I have not been approached but 100% I want to be a manager.
"Blackburn are a great club, a fantastic club, the best club I've ever played for, even if they were not the biggest."

 

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Carlos Tevez attends Manchester City training

Tevez is Man City's top scorer this season with 10 goals

Manchester City's want-away striker Carlos Tevez has reported for training at Carrington on Tuesday.
City have rejected a transfer request from captain Tevez, who says he has fallen out with executives at the club.
Manager Roberto Mancini was not at training because he is already in Italy preparing for Thursday's final Europa League group match at Juventus.
Meanwhile, players' chief Gordon Taylor told BBC Sport he is "always available" to act as a mediator in the dispute.
The chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association has not been approached by either the club or the player's representatives during the impasse.
However, Taylor is happy to intervene, adding: "It's part of my job - and Man City know that."
Meanwhile, Tevez and Mancini are set to hold talks over the player's future at Eastlands on Friday.
City, third in the Premier League, have been rocked by their talisman's insistence that he wants to leave because his relationship with "certain executives" have "broken down beyond repair".

DAN ROAN'S BLOG
Some may understandably ask precisely what City expected when they signed the Argentinian given Joorabchian and Tevez are no strangers to controversy


The club say they will not sell him in the January transfer window and will seek compensation for breach of contract from his agent and former 'owner' Kia Joorabchian if the 26-year-old retires or refuses to play.
The deal, which has three-and-a-half years to run, is estimated to amount to tens of millions of pounds.
Tevez missed City's 3-1 victory over West Ham on Saturday through suspension and has just returned from a break in Tenerife.
After the European trip to Turin, City host Everton on Monday before matches against Newcastle, Aston Villa and Blackpool over Christmas.

 

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Steve Stone handed Newcastle first-team coach role

Stone played the majority of his 400 games at Nottingham Forest

Steve Stone has been promoted to first-team coach at Newcastle as new manager Alan Pardew shapes his backroom team.
Stone, who worked as Peter Beardsley's assistant with the reserves, is joined by Willie Donachie who moves from the academy to become development coach.
Andy Woodman comes in from Charlton as goalkeeping coach while former Magpies player Beardsley continues his role.
"I am sure they'll all do a tremendous job," said Pardew, who wants to appoint a further first-team coach.
"Keeping Peter with the reserves is important too as he has done a terrific job with the younger lads this season."
Pardew guided Newcastle to a 3-1 home win over Liverpool in his first game in charge of the Magpies on Saturday.

 

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Ferguson stunned as Blackburn sack boss Sam Allardyce

Ferguson (left) was left bemused by the sacking of his friend Allardyce (right)


Sir Alex Ferguson has described the sacking of Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce as "absolutely ridiculous".
Speaking after his team's 1-0 win over Arsenal which put them top of the Premier League, the Manchester United boss spoke up in defence of Allardyce.
"I've never heard of such a stupid decision in all my life," said Ferguson, a close friend of Allardyce.
"I don't know what they're doing up there, but deary me. It confounds common sense. Absolutely ridiculous."
Former Bolton and Newcastle boss Allardyce took over at Ewood Park in December 2008, following Paul Ince's brief spell in charge.

PHIL McNULTY'S BLOG
Most sound judges would suggest Allardyce was the perfect man for a club of Blackburn's current stature


Having inherited a side in the relegation zone, he pulled them out of trouble and led Rovers to a 10th-place finish last season, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Carling Cup.
Although results this season have been mixed, the low point being a 7-1 thrashing by Ferguson's United last month, Blackburn lie 13th in the table, so the decision by the club's new Indian owners to replace a man spoken of as a possible future England boss was a major shock.
Allardyce's last game in charge was Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Bolton, the club where he established his managerial reputation.
"I had to pop in to see the chairman (John Williams) and he presented the rather shocking news to me," Allardyce told Sky Sports.
"It was obviously unexpected, but that's the world of football today.

"It hasn't really been explained to me and I'm a little confused in my own mind at the moment, but the reality will kick in in a couple of days.
"It's up to them now where they take the club forward. I'm not a part of it, I'm very disappointed about that and would have liked to have been a part of it - but I'm not."
Less than three weeks ago, the Rao family, who completed a £43m takeover of the club in October, gave Allardyce their public backing.
"We want results and Sam has taken up the challenge. He deserves a chance," said Anuradha Desai, chairman of the Rao family's chicken producing company Venky's.
Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen told BBC Radio 5 live the news had come as a complete surprise, and the players had not even had the news broken to them officially.

606: DEBATE
It may fall flat on its face but at least the owners are showing some ambition


Rover the Moon

Nelsen found out after receiving a text message from a journalist in his native New Zealand asking for his reaction to the news.
"I'm shocked and devastated - not in my wildest dreams did I see this coming," he said.
"What he picked up when he took over was a club in diabolical trouble, he's turned it round into an efficient streamlined club that's spent no money and done extremely well - it's the world we live in, but I just feel absolutely gutted for the man."
Former Tottenham manager Martin Jol, ex-Newcastle boss Chris Hughton and even former Argentina coach Diego Maradona are among the names linked with the vacancy.

 

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Israeli midfielder joins Man City after Barcelona exit

Assulin (right) in action in a friendly against City last year

Manchester City have signed Israeli international midfielder Gai Assulin on a two-and-a-half year deal after the 19-year-old left Barcelona.
Assulin, who became Israel's youngest international when he won his first cap aged just 16, had been linked with several teams including Arsenal.
"As soon as I saw the club [City] I wanted to stay. I'm at a great club and hope to be here a long time," he said.
"I have to take my opportunity and learn every day in training."
Assulin, who played against City in a prestige Nou Camp friendly at the start of last season, said he hoped to follow in the footsteps of another former Barcelona player, Yaya Toure, who is now a first-team regular at City.

606: DEBATE
I remember watching him a couple of years ago in a few friendlies and he looked like a right little demon


itsonlyagame - diego_maradona_is_my_role_model

"I speak with Yaya every day - and I hope to be playing alongside him," he said.
Assulin is a regular for the Israel U21 side and won his first cap for the senior side in a friendly against Chile in 2008, two weeks before his 17th birthday.
When he came on in the 78th minute, he broke Ben Sahar's record for the youngest debut by 195 days.

 

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Steven Gerrard on course for Liverpool return

Gerrard was injured playing for England against France


Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is hopeful captain Steven Gerrard will return from injury against Fulham on Saturday.
The 30-year-old midfielder has been out of action since suffering a hamstring problem during England's 2-1 defeat by France on 17 November.
Hodgson, formerly manager of Fulham, told the club's website: "Steven's on track for the weekend.
"He has been determined to get back as quickly as possible. The physios are happy and he feels quite good."
The manner of Gerrard's injury caused controversy as England boss Fabio Capello kept him on the pitch longer than had been intended.
The midfielder ended up pulling his hamstring and having to go off after 85 minutes. In the immediate aftermath, Capello was criticised on twitter by Liverpool fitness coach Darren Burgess.
Gerrard has missed four Premier League games, which included home wins against West Ham and Aston Villa plus away defeats away Tottenham and Newcastle, as well as a Europa League draw with Steaua Bucharest.
And although he is now close to a comeback, he will not be considered for the Europa League game against FC Utrecht on Wednesday and will only play a part against Fulham providing the club's medical staff are happy for him to do so.
"The big question when a player has a hamstring injury or a slight pull is when do you actually say he is totally fit and give him the go-ahead to play?" said Hodgson.
"We have to be careful there is no risk of the injury reoccurring and I am in the hands to some extent of the sports science people as to when he can come back.
"I take their word for it and I can't really push the subject because I would be devastated if we brought him back too early, but he still hopes he will be fit to play some part in the game against Fulham and so am I."
He added: "We are training on Tuesday, Wednesday is a day off for those who won't be playing against Utrecht and if he is going to start the game against Fulham I definitely want him back training with us on Thursday, that's for sure.
"That's the deadline but I am still hopeful he can take some part in our training today [Tuesday]."

 

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Defender Phil Jagielka wants Everton consistency

Jagielka has seven England caps since making his debut in 2008

Everton defender Phil Jagielka says his side have to beat teams outside the top four to improve their league position.
The Blues are seven games without a Premier League win and are 15th after Saturday's 0-0 draw with Wigan.
"We've had good results against Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham, but it's about 38 games," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"It's not just about the top four, top six or top seven - we need to start picking up points in every game."
Everton are still just two points above the relegation zone as they prepare to face third-placed Manchester City at Eastlands on Monday.

We're trying and hopefully things will turn soon and we'll start scoring goals


Everton defender Phil Jagielka

The England international believes the 0-0 result against the Latics at the weekend shows they need to remedy their lack of potency in front of goal.
"I'm sure if we were further up the table and doing better we'd have probably beaten Wigan, but it's just the way it goes," Jagielka continued.
"Unfortunately we're getting a few chances a game and a few half chances but not scoring goals.
"The atmosphere [at Goodison Park] isn't brilliant but we can't blame the fans for that as we're not giving them too much to shout about.
"Believe me, we're trying and hopefully things will turn soon and we'll start scoring goals."

 

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Defender Phil Jagielka wants Everton consistency

Jagielka has seven England caps since making his debut in 2008

Everton defender Phil Jagielka says his side have to beat teams outside the top four to improve their league position.
The Blues are seven games without a Premier League win and are 15th after Saturday's 0-0 draw with Wigan.
"We've had good results against Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham, but it's about 38 games," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"It's not just about the top four, top six or top seven - we need to start picking up points in every game."
Everton are still just two points above the relegation zone as they prepare to face third-placed Manchester City at Eastlands on Monday.

We're trying and hopefully things will turn soon and we'll start scoring goals


Everton defender Phil Jagielka

The England international believes the 0-0 result against the Latics at the weekend shows they need to remedy their lack of potency in front of goal.
"I'm sure if we were further up the table and doing better we'd have probably beaten Wigan, but it's just the way it goes," Jagielka continued.
"Unfortunately we're getting a few chances a game and a few half chances but not scoring goals.
"The atmosphere [at Goodison Park] isn't brilliant but we can't blame the fans for that as we're not giving them too much to shout about.
"Believe me, we're trying and hopefully things will turn soon and we'll start scoring goals."

 

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Leicester City reject Newcastle move for Chris Powell

Powell joined Leicester as a player in August 2008

Leicester City have rejected an approach from Newcastle United for first-team coach Chris Powell, reports BBC Radio Leicester.
New Magpies manager Alan Pardew knows the former England defender from their time together at Charlton Athletic.
And he was eager to bring in Powell as part of his new-look backroom staff.
The 41-year-old, who made his England debut under Foxes boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, only retired from playing at the end of last season.

 

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« Previous | Main
Tevez dispute turns nasty

Post categories: Football
Dan Roan | 09:23 UK time, Tuesday, 14 December 2010

Despite his dramatic transfer request, I am told Carlos Tevez plans to report for duty at Manchester City's Carrington training ground on Tuesday afternoon following a four-day break in Tenerife.
And I understand that, after undergoing a minor eye operation in Italy before the Europa League match against Juventus on Thursday, City manager Roberto Mancini will hold talks with his captain in a bid to persuade him to stay.
But should the attempt fail, the dispute between player and club will then intensify.
On Monday, BBC Sport broke the news that City are not prepared to grant Tevez his wish of leaving Eastlands in January and are bracing themselves for legal action against the striker's adviser, Kia Joorabchian, if the Argentine refuses to play or retires.
The development was proof that this latest football saga is not just about Tevez's genuine heartache at being thousands of miles away from his daughters, who live in Buenos Aires with his estranged wife Vanessa.

Man City fans want a swift resolution to the Tevez saga. Photo: AFP
The bigger picture is a developing power struggle between Joorabchian and City's board, especially chief executive Garry Cook. Two-and-a-half years ago, their relationship was healthy and mutually beneficial. Now it is deteriorating drastically, with the pair said to be communicating solely via email.
Having done business with Cook when he was a Nike executive in Brazil, Joorabchian, an ex-director at Sao Paolo giants Corinthians, recommended the Englishman to City's then owner Thaksin Shinawatra, who appointed Cook as chief executive in May 2008. In return, Joorabchian played a significant role as City went about their spending spree.
After brokering the £18m deal transfer of Jo from CSKA Moscow to City in 2008, Joorabchian continued to exert significant influence at Eastlands following the takeover of the club by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in August 2008.
Joorabchian was reportedly involved in the first mega-signing by the new owners - the £32.5m purchase of Robinho from Real Madrid - and was alongside Cook when City officials met AC Milan representatives last year with a view to luring Kaka to Manchester.
In July 2009, City paid Tevez's representatives, including Joorabchian, who owned the player's economic rights, £25.5m to secure his services after his decision to leave arch rivals Manchester United.
However, over the last two seasons, encouraged by City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and with Uefa's "financial fair play" rules looming into view, the club have made a concerted effort, led by City's football adminstrator Brian Marwood, to reduce the amount of money paid to agents and 'advisers' like Joorabchian.
This has paid off, with City halving their annual outlay on fees from £12.8m to just under £6m, although one well-placed City source suggested that Joorabchian resents the resultant loss of power, influence and earnings.
The club has compiled e-mail evidence which they believe proves that Joorabchian asked for a contract extension for Tevez earlier this season, contradicting the player's statement that he "could have signed an improved contract, offered by the club this season". They also point to Tevez's purchase of a second home in Manchester as evidence that the player is not necessarily intent on leaving the area and that other forces may be at play, namely Joorabchian's desire to engineer another big-money move. Joorabchian, they point out, also advises Mark Hughes, who was sacked by City last season.
City are upset by what the official described as "contradictory messages" coming from the Tevez camp. First, the striker was homesick and unhappy with Mancini. Then he had no personal gripe with the manager, blaming instead a rift with senior executives, a claim described as "ludicrous and nonsensical" by a City insider.
On Sunday, City went public, stressing in a statement that they were "particularly disappointed" by Joorabchian's role in the Tevez affair. Tevez said he "hugely resented" the suggestion he had been unduly influenced but there is a feeling at City that it is Joorabchian, more than Tevez, who is the problem.
Some may understandably ask precisely what City expected when they signed the Argentinian given Joorabchian and Tevez are no strangers to controversy. They first teamed up after the businessman's MSI company bought Corinthians in 2004 and secured the economic rights to the striker.
Two years later, Tevez was sold to West Ham and helped them stay in the Premier League, although the club were subsequently fined £5.5m for breaking rules on third-party agreements regarding player transfers and sued by relegated Sheffield United.
Tevez then joined Manchester United only to leave after a successful two-year 'loan spell' and despite the offer of a lucrative five-year contract and a £25.5m fee. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hinted that Joorabchian's role in the player's contract negotiations had proved an obstacle to striking a deal.
Having been forced to sell Robinho to AC Milan this summer for half of what they paid for the Brazilian, City are in no mood to roll over again. The club are prepared to sell Tevez in the summer, on their terms, but not in January.
If Tevez is as unhappy about staying in Manchester as his associates suggest and refuses to play or retires, the club say they will sue for breach of contract, seeking tens of millions of pounds in compensation from Joorabchian himself. Given Tevez has three-and-a-half years left to run on a five-year contract worth around £10m a year, that could amount to a claim of around £35m.
A loan deal similar to the one agreed with Santos for Robinho is still possible as a compromise, but Dr Gregory Ioannadis, a lecturer in sports law at Buckingham University, fears the Tevez camp could ultimately win the day.
"If Tevez refuses to play or quits, breaching his contract, then that contract is rendered void and, because of the Bosman Rule, Tevez could then go and play for whoever he wants," said Ioannadis.
"It would then be normal for that club to pay the compensation. Ultimately the power lies with the player so clubs therefore are best advised to sell as soon as possible. The player's value will only decrease if he just sits in the stands.
"City could claim for compensation - and seem prepared to do so - but Fifa are unlikely to award the City the amount they would want. I would expect City to have to seek recourse at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. I still believe the most likely outcome is that Tevez will be sold in January."
Sources close to Joorabchian say he remains friends with City's owners but that he feels he has been "betrayed" by Cook, blaming him for the dispute over Tevez escalating. They point to the unhappiness of other key members of City's squad as proof that Tevez is not alone in the way he feels about his chief executive.
They also insist that Cook has gone back on certain commitments made to Tevez when he signed. The Tevez camp believe City are bluffing over their refusal to sell next month and are simply playing hardball in an attempt to keep any transfer value as high as possible. Tevez, they say, simply hates life in Manchester and is intent on living somewhere where his ex-partner will be prepared to base herself and give him access to his children. Namely Spain.
Two months ago, Mancini was asked whether he would be interested in signing Wayne Rooney after the United striker refused to sign a new contract at Old Trafford. The Italian's prediction that United would bow to the player's demands and that Rooney would stay proved accurate. At the time, Sir Alex bemoaned the role of Rooney's agent Paul Stretford. Mancini would be forgiven for feeling the same about Joorabchian.
City may rely on Tevez even more that United do on Rooney. The difference between the two clubs is that City may make a stand.
UPDATE 1300 GMT
Tevez is training with his Manchester City team-mates.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Tevez transfer request is risky move

Post categories: Football, Manchester City, Premier League
Phil McNulty | 11:20 UK time, Sunday, 12 December 2010

When Carlos Tevez was unveiled on what was to become an iconic "Welcome To Manchester" poster, he was being paraded as the symbol of a new era at Eastlands.
Not only had Manchester City demonstrated the financial muscle and ambition to tempt him away from Old Trafford, they had the audacity to take their confidence to the streets and taunt the neighbours with their latest purchase.
Tevez became an instant hero simply by crossing Manchester - then cemented the status by scoring 39 goals in 60 games to lead what the club's cash-laden Abu Dhabi hierarchy hoped would be a revolution.
How ironic then that Tevez has now effectively told the club it is they who are welcome to Manchester, while he wishes to take his talents to pastures new.
City instantly rejected Tevez's request and outlined their reasons - and what they clearly believe is a hidden agenda behind the Argentine's request - in a detailed statement. Tevez will stay at City for now but it is a fragile union.
Tevez's written transfer demand represents a devastating blow to City and their supporters, who may have sensed bad news was heading their way after the impressive win at West Ham United lifted hopes of a first title since 1968 just a little higher.
History will have told them it was all going a little too well, a sure sign something unpleasant was about to descend on this loyal, long-suffering support.

Carlos Tevez rows with City boss Roberto Mancini after being substituted against Bolton. Pic: AP