Tevez apologises to Man City fans

Manchester City player Carlos Tevez is driven away from Manchester Airport in northern England on Wednesday. (REUTERS)

Published Wednesday, September 28, 2011

By Agencies

Carlos Tevez has denied refusing to play for Manchester City against Bayern Munich in the Champions League clash on Tuesday night but has apologised to fans for the “misunderstanding”.

City boss Roberto Mancini claims the Argentine striker refused to warm up when asked during the second half at the Allianz Arena, and says his position at the club is now “finished”.

However, Tevez has released a statement claiming the incident was a “misunderstanding”, and claiming he was ready to play.

He said: “I would like to apologise to the Manchester City supporters, with whom I have always had a strong relationship, for any misunderstanding that occurred in Munich.

“They understand that when I’m on the pitch I have always given my best for the club. In Munich on Tuesday I had warmed up and I was ready to play.

“This is not the right time to go into specific details as to why this did not happen but I wish to state I never refused to play. There was some confusion on the bench and I believe my position was misunderstood.

“Going forward, I am ready to play when required and to fulfil my obligations.”

However, Mancini said Tevez refused to go on when he had wanted to make his second substitution during City’s 2-0 defeat in Munich.

The former City captain has had a troubled time at City since being released from Manchester United in 2009 with Tevez even handing in a written transfer request last December citing family reasons and a break-down in relations with the club.

The matter was later resolved with Mancini saying he thought the Argentian star would stay but stripped him of the captaincy.

Earlier, Tevez speaking briefly through an interpreter after the match told Sky Sports: “It is his (Mancini’s) decision.

“I’ve been professional in the last year. This last year I was the best scorer and I put my opinion through that I wanted to leave for family reasons but I keep trying to do my best.”

Tevez’s career at Man City is over - Mancini