Long post alert for the easily distracted...!
There are lots of comments on here what people want to happen, but the truth is a lot more depressing.
Players have almost complete control.
I'm certainly no expert, but I believe the club have very few options in this case.
The first they they have to do is conduct an enquiry. This is to find out exactly what happened.
You cannot take any action until you have all the facts.
Even then, you have to have reasonable proof of these facts.
All Tevez has to say is that he indicated to Mancicni that he was feeling unwell, and therefore unfit to play. But due to language barriers, this was misconstrued as refusing to play. Or as i suspect what he will say is that he was asked to warm up, but he thought he had already done enough warming up, therefore told he translator to express this. But through a mix up, Mancini was told Tevez is refusing to warm up. Tevez will argue that Mancini took this as refusing to play.
Even if City prove that he refused to play, the mere fact that he indicated he wasn't in the right mental state to play would divert a gross misconduct case. He could argue that City have a "duty of care", which means they have to take care of his physical and mental state.
Assuming City prove the lesser "misconduct" charge, their options are still very limited.
The standard fine of two weeks wages can be imposed, but that is about it.
There may be an option via FIFA/FA along the lines of bringing the game in to disrepute.
This may lead to a longer ban. This might only be from playing, and might mean remaining on full pay.
On to the comments about letting him rot in the reserves, half his wages. Make him train alone, paint the toilets etc etc etc.
Well believe it or not, a player can now be released from his contract is he is not allowed to do his job, ie play football.
City would have to prove that any decision not to include him in normal training or football games was for footballing reasons, and not as any form of punishment.
It would also give him grounds to sue City for constructive dismissal and victimisation.
This could lead to a situation that not only would Tevez be a free agent and retain his registration, he would also be able to claim any money due for the length of the original contract. He could also claim for compensation!
If miracles do happen and City manage to prove a case of gross misconduct. Then City could sack him, and retain his registration. This would mean we wouldn't have to pay him anything, and we could still get paid if another club comes in for him.
This came about to stop footallers doing something to get sack, just to get released from their club/contract.
I doubt the later very much, and I assume it would end up in all sorts of legal actions.
City could just sack him, and release his from his contract/registration.
Tevez would love this, as that is exactly what he wants. He could even try and get some compensation.
This would be as bad as keeping him.
If the club is smart, don't even consider this even though we can afford too.
City could try and get him to buy himself out. But he would have already done this if there was any benefit to himself. There isn't any financial benefit so it won't happen.
I think City's only real option will be to fine him two weeks wages.
Make him train with the reserves citing fitness reasons. Have him on the bench, once a month. But make sure he isn't picked to play. This will ward off any PFA actions.
Come January, offload him to however will take him.
I know this view won't be popular, but this is how business works. It's not about emotion or what's fair, it's about what you can actually do and what's good financially.
Personally, I would love it if they sack him and take the (massive) financial hit.
He is a poison the club needs to get rid off. We have so many good things happening, that he is the only negative. The sooner he leaves te better...
