London – Carlos Tevez is primed to play in Manchester City’s FA Cup quarter-final against Barnsley on Saturday despite being arrested on suspicion of another motoring offence.
The Argentina striker, 29, has not yet been charged but could face jail if he is found guilty of driving while disqualified after police stopped him near his home in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, on Thursday.
Tevez was taken to Macclesfield police station but released on bail and told to return on Tuesday because there was no Spanish interpreter available to translate for him. In January, the player was banned for six months and fined £1,540 after his solicitor failed to persuade Manchester Magistrates’ Court that Tevez did not respond to police requests for information relating to two speeding offences because he did not understand the word ‘constabulary’ on their letters.
The maximum penalty for driving while disqualified is a six-month custodial sentence and a fine of £5,000, but courts can also hand out anti-social behaviour orders and community service.
However, there is no suggestion that Tevez will miss Saturday’s FA Cup tie at home to Championship strugglers Barnsley, with compatriot Sergio Aguero already ruled out with a knee injury. Tevez, who scored City’s winner at Aston Villa on Monday night, trained as usual yesterday morning and was later pictured being driven away from Carrington in his white Porsche Cayenne by a female companion.
The FA Cup represents City’s last realistic hope of a trophy and manager Roberto Mancini said it is important for the 2011 winners to reach Wembley again. He said: ‘It is better if it is the Premier League, the Champions League or the Europa League, but the FA Cup is important.
“We play against Barnsley and these games are hard because the opposition have nothing to lose.”
Edin Dzeko could start the game in Aguero’s absence but Mancini admitted the £27million Bosnia striker, linked with a return to Germany with Borussia Dortmund, could leave this summer. He added: “At the moment, there is nothing. In the summer, it could be possible.” – Daily Mail