Carlos Tevez created quite the sideshow during Manchester City's UEFA Champions League loss to Bayern Munich on Tuesday after refusing to enter the match as a substitute.
After acknowledging that he wouldn't go into the match, the Argentine striker is now backtracking a bit with his latest public comments.
Tevez released a statement in which he said: "In Munich on Tuesday I had warmed up and was ready to play. This is not the right time to get into specific details as to why this did not happen. But I wish to state that I never refused to play. There was some confusion on the bench and I believe my position may have been misunderstood."
City manager Roberto Mancini blasted the player in his post-match remarks and indicated that if it's up to him, Tevez will never play for City again.
"He has wanted to leave for the last two years," Mancini told reporters. "For two years I have helped him, and now he has refused to play. Never again."
Here are a few more items from around the soccer world:
After Frank Lampard was left on the bench for Chelsea's league match against Swansea City, fervent talk of the veteran midfielder potentially leaving the club made the rounds.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas put those rumors to rest, saying that benching him was nothing more than a tactical decision for that game and that Lampard certainly has a future with the team.
"He is a spectacular team player and professional, and I hope he will continue to succeed in this club for many years to come, as long as I am here," Villas-Boas said.
HUDDLESTONE NEEDS ANKLE SURGERY
Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone is set to miss an extended period of time after it was discovered that he needs more surgery to repair his ankle.
Huddlestone dealt with this problem last season and missed five months of action before returning for the stretch run. He has appeared as a substitute in four matches this season while playing through the injury.
SOUTH AFRICA GETS 2013 CUP OF NATIONS
With all of the unrest going on in Libya, the Confederation of African Football has awarded the finals of the 2013 African Cup of Nations to South Africa.
South Africa was supposed to host the 2017 tournament, but that one will go to Libya instead in a swap that is being made in the best interest of all parties.
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What do you make of the Tevez mess? What did you make of Lampard being benched against Swansea. Do you think he has a future at Chelsea? How do you think Huddlestone's injury changes things for Spurs?
Share your thoughts below.
