Football News : Tevez set for six-week ban

By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent

ESPNsoccernet understands Manchester City are looking to hit Carlos Tevez with a six-week suspension and a £1.5 million fine.

GettyImagesCity have confirmed Carlos Tevez will face disciplinary proceedings

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City confirmed on Wednesday night that Tevez is facing disciplinary proceedings over his alleged refusal to play against Bayern Munich last month, and they could now hand the forward the maximum punishment the rules permit.

Tevez has already served a two-week suspension, though, and that can only be extended with the permission of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA). City's legal team have already sought the union's guidance on the matter.

Tevez, contrary to reports, has been on full pay during his two-week suspension but, should the club gain PFA approval, they are hoping to dock his £250,000-a-week wages for the duration of his loan.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor will attempt to broker a sensible solution. "We are in touch with all the parties, we are in touch with the situation, making sure everything is done properly," Taylor told ESPNsoccernet.

"There is evidence, the cl ub feels, to justify a disciplinary hearing - enough evidence from witnesses and from what we can all see on TV - and ideally we would want this done as quickly as possible. The club will appoint a chairman of the hearing and the player is entitled to representation.

"We would all want to resolve the situation so that both parties can walk away and get on with their lives. The manager with his authority intact, and the player moving on when the transfer window opens in January, although he could go out on loan in the meantime as it is clear the manager doesn't want him.

"Unfortunately the eyes of the world are on this case and we should not prejudge it. The rules do allow for a six-week fine and suspension but only if the evidence justifies it and the PFA approve it."

There is a feeling that the evidence is insufficient for City to be able to terminate the player's contract, but that is an extreme option that would not necessarily suit the club in any case.

ESPNsoccernet understands the Argentina international is sticking firmly to his version of events at the Allianz Arena - namely that he did not refuse to play - and will appeal any disciplinary action. The first appeal would be to the club's board but could eventually be taken all the way to the Premier League.

Tevez is to return to training on Thursday morning and club sources have said Roberto Mancini will be given full backing should he dispatch the player to work with the reserves or youth team. He could also be forced to train alone, as Emmanuel Adebayor had during the summer.

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