Sports lawyer Hovell offers his thoughts on the Tevez saga

Gordon Taylor’s suggestion that City and Tevez get together to ‘sort out things out’ “is a sensible suggestion” says Sports Lawyer and Court of Arbitration for Sport Arbitrator, Mark Hovell.

Hovell who is the managing partner of Manchester based law firm George Davies continues “If Manchester City looked to eventually sack Tevez, it would take many years before they'd find out if they had "just cause" to do so. If not, Tevez would claim millions in lost earnings and could request that sporting sanctions be applied to the Club; if right they'd claim their lost transfer fee, lost commercial revenue and more from Tevez and his next club. The case could be worth €50m or so and everyone will have their own view on which way it could go.”

Mark speculates “If City sacked Tevez, what club would take him? Like Mutu and Juventus (owing over €17m to Chelsea - subject to another appeal), the next club in line could face a huge claim jointly with the player - it could mean no club takes the risk and Tevez is left in the wilderness.

If a decision is taken, then the litigation begins and there will be a winner and a loser. The facts are in the balance, yet the stakes so high - bringing the parties together would seem like the best solution.”