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Money vs. Values – Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez

This week Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini invited his star striker Carlos Tevez back in the squad, as they search for all the help they can get in their title run. Tevez, who had not played for the club for the past 5 months, flew back to Manchester from his native Argentina to reunite with his teammates, but as soon as he got a chance to talk to the English press, he started to fire back at Mancini and his accusations.

It all began in September 2011, when City faced Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stages. The Bavarians where leading 2-0, when Carlos Tevez was called from the bench by his manager Roberto Mancini, but the City striker refused to come in the game. Due to his unacceptable behaviour, Tevez was suspended by his club for the maximum amount of two weeks and later on placed on gardening leave(he was paid in full but instructed to stay away from the Manchester City training ground). The club’s manager Roberto Mancini was furious with him and claimed that Tevez will never again play for the Manchester club.

After the dust had settled, speculations began regarding Tevez’s future, not only at Manchester City but in general as well. Only a year earlier he was the cornerstone of the team, as he was their captain and leading scorer as well as a talisman, appreciated by his players and adored by his fans. Despite all that it was no secret that Tevez was having issues outside the pitch. It was soon known to the public that his family had wanted to leave England for good as they were unhappy. That kind of pressure had pushed Tevez to the brink of his emotional stability, and with the club acquiring more and more talent up front, Tevez faced a tough challenge ahead, considering he would have to fight for his place in the starting XI, which would be a very difficult task for a person suffering from such emotional unsteadiness. At the beginning of this season, Tevez returned to Man City, even though the Argentine announced he would leave the club and never return to Manchester. With him being very unsatisfied at the club, the Munich incident was somewhat expected, since Tevez had looked like a ticking time bomb from the start of the campaign. Although the dispute was rather predictable, it gave Tevez no right what so ever to act in such a disgraceful and disrespectful manner.

Many times the punishment fits the crime, but that is definitely not the case here. Tevez’s actions were a clear reminder that today’s football stars are spoiled and corrupt by money. They have forgotten about their true values and with a weekly paycheck of about 150.000£, they are the under the impression they are allowed to say: “No thank you, I do not wish to play.”, even though they are called upon to perform by their boss. Just try and imagine what would happen if a common employee would one day simply refuse to obey his bosses orders. Without a doubt that would be his last day on the job. Today’s football stars are not only well-paid sportsmen, they are also role models and an inspiration for others, especially the next generation who sees them as their idols. Considering all that, their actions have a much bigger impact on the society and that is why clubs should judge their behavior even more conclusively.

As I pointed out the problem lays in the clubs, or to go even further, in the governing bodies such as UEFA and FIFA, which have the power and the authority to make changes, but they care only about the income and have forgotten all about the morale values. Not much of an example for the players, huh? They are all afraid to act and actually make a difference, as it is much easier to sit back and not do a thing, so that they do not disturb the flow of the money. In Tevez’s case, City should have fired him as soon as the investigations regarding the events in Munich were over, without any hesitation. Undoubtedly, by canceling Tevez’s contract the club would have spent a somewhat large amount of money, but they would have shown, that money is not an issues for them(which we all know is true), as they would put their beliefs and morale code first. Not to mention the fact that it would serve as an example to other players and clubs as well. By placing Tevez only on gardening leave and now even offering him another chance, I think it does not send out a clear enough message that there is no room for such inappropriate and scandalous behavior.

But if one is being critical of the manner in which football is being conducted, one has to realize that the society is where it all originates from. Our world has become a place where money rules all and morale values have had to take a step back. Everything is measured according to income or wealth, and so it is no surprise that footballers, who are a product of our society, act as they do. It is a huge test of character for all of us, but it is obvious that changes are need. We have to make a difference in our society, starting with ourselves. We have to be the difference we wish to see in the world. One thing is certain though, we have to work together in order for changes to be made, therefore everyone has to be on the same wavelength and have the same vision. It seems simple really, we are the ones who have to change in order for our football heroes to follow.

 

 

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