Fink: Tevez should be shown the door

By Jesse Fink

The miraculous thing is why Manchester City are tolerating this oaf at all by suspending him.

A talented oaf, all right. One of the most naturally gifted and, when on song, most lethal footballers in the world today. But, judged on what transpired in Munich this week, Carlos Tevez is an oaf.

Roberto Mancini was right to declare the Argentinean striker would never play for Manchester City again under his stewardship, following Tevez's refusal to come on in the second half for the club's UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. City lost 2-0.

It was behaviour beneath contempt; something befitting a six-year-old at a child's birthday party. Not a supposed professional on a multimillion-dollar contract on one of the biggest stages in club football.

As Graeme Souness said on TV in Britain: "How selfish can you get? How petulant can you be? You would chase him as far as you can from Manchester tomorrow if you could. Because he is one bad apple. He could undo all the good work that [the club has] done."

There was no miscommunication or misunderstanding. That much was clear from the footage of the event: Tevez's arrogant casualness and Mancini's quiet rage.

Tevez can backpedal all he likes with the suggestion there were crossed wires over the warm-up. His defenders can trot out the "he misses his family" line. It's all inexcusable. Bulldust. Rubbish.

His contract should be torn up immediately. There is nothing to be gained from keeping him at the club a day longer than necessary.

Cashing in on any impending sale should not be the issue for Manchester City. Sheikh Mansour is not exactly hard up for money.

The more important consideration is for the club to show it is just that: a club. A club that backs its most important employee - its manager - when he has not done wrong.

A club where spotfires of rebellion from recalcitrants such as Tevez are not tolerated, even for a moment, let alone two weeks so they can conduct a "review".

A club where the guiding force of everything it does is unity. Where there is a palpable sense of common purpose. From owner to chairman to coach to player to fan. Pulling together, working together for a shared goal: to make City great.

Greatness is not just measured in results. It's measured in effort, selflessness and dignity.

Tevez demonstrated none of those qualities in Munich. There can be no defence for his conduct and it certainly doesn't deserve the oxygen of a "review".

City must rip up his contract. And not waste a second more doing it.