Mascherano slams City’s treatment of Tevez

Mascherano slams City's treatment of Tevez

Barcelona ace Javier Mascherano slams Manchester outfit's treatment of compatriot and ex-teammate, who faces disciplinary action for allegedly refusing to come on as substitute in a Champions League game

Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has declared Manchester City's treatment of striker Carlos Tevez "ugly" ahead of the club's decision on disciplinary measures to be taken against the Argentina international. The former Liverpool man, who has played with Tevez at West Ham United and Corinthians as well as for national team, criticised the "attacks" on City's former captain.

Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano

Tevez faces club disciplinary action over his alleged refusal to appear as a substitute against Bayern Munich in a Champions League match. "Carlitos has done so much for Man City that I think it is so ugly what they are doing to him now," Mascherano said, as quoted by Argentine newspaper Clarin. "I can't believe what is going on.

"Everyone attacks him even when he can't defend himself. It's so unfair. "But England is a complicated place, because when something like this happens, everyone attacks you." Tevez has not played for City since the incident, with manager Roberto Mancini insisting that the striker will never appear for the club again while he is in charge.

He was suspended by the club for a fortnight and is likely to face further punishment after an internal investigation determined that he had breached his contract by refusing to play.

The Tevez saga

>> May 17 (2009): Accuses Man United of showing him a lack of respect and states his desire to leave Old Trafford.

>> July 13: Agrees to join Man City.

>> April 13 (2010): Questions City boss Roberto Mancini's training methods.

>> December 4: Involved in a touchline bust-up with Mancini after being substituted late in City's 1-0 win over Bolton.

>> December 12: City reject a written transfer request from Tevez.

>> December 20: City announce Tevez has withdrawn his transfer request after clear-the-air talks and expressed his "absolute commitment" to the club.

>> June 3 (2011): Tevez says in an interview with Playfutbol that there is "nothing to do" in Manchester, and that once he leaves City, "I will not return to Manchester, not even for a holiday."

>> July 4: Issues a statement saying he wishes to leave City in order to be closer to his family.

>> September 10: Mancini confirms Tevez will not captain Cityu00a0 and that Vincent Kompany will instead remain in the role.

>> September 27: Mancini says Tevez will never play for the club again after refusing to play as a substitute in the Champions League game against Bayern Munich.

>> September 28: Issues a statement denying he refused to come on, adding: "I believe my position may have been misunderstood." Later in the day the club confirm they have suspended the player for two weeks, pending a review into his actions.

>> October 12: City confirm Tevez will face disciplinary proceedings over "alleged breaches of contract" in relation to his conduct during the match against Bayern.