Manchester City fury as Carlos Tevez goes AWOL

CARLOS TEVEZ has gone AWOL after defying Manchester City's instructions to return from Argentina.

City's former skipper was ordered to be at training today. But last night he remained 7,000 miles away in South America.

Tevez had surprised everyone yesterday by deciding to accept a £400,000 fine for misconduct following his infamous bust-up in Munich with boss Roberto Mancini.

But his no-show will plunge him into hot water yet again just when it seemed his feud with the club was calming down.

Tevez, 27, did ask more than once for permission to go home during the international break. But he was told 'no' on each occasion.

Most of Mancini's squad have been given time off. But the club have been concerned over the striker's fitness since he was allowed back to Carrington last month. A club spokesman said: "Carlos returned from his recent trip to Argentina and was not match fit.

"The coaches devised a training plan to return him to full fitness.

"Carlos is part way through that plan. He is due to resume training on Wednesday morning at Carrington following a rest day on Tuesday."

Tevez was told to come in with other squad members who have not played much recently, such as summer signing Owen Hargreaves.

But he flew to Buenos Aires on Monday, telling reporters when he landed: "I have come to rest a little."

The chances of him making it back to Carrington by this morning appear slim, so he is sure to face another misconduct charge.

Tevez will not appeal against his fine for refusing to warm up in Munich back in September.

The Argy striker was clobbered with a fine of four weeks' wages — around £800,000 — which was halved when the PFA intervened.

Tevez's camp had vowed to fight any punishment. But the feeling now is it will help their man's chances of getting a transfer in January if he calls off the battle.