SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) -- Carlos Tevez's future with Brazilian club Corinthians could be decided by the courts. The Argentine striker has been absent from training since Sunday's 1-0 victory over Botafogo and has yet to explain his disappearance, leaving Corinthians president Alberto Dualib to say Wednesday that the club's lawyers were asked to intervene. "The case has been handed to our legal department," Dualib told Radio Jovem Pan. "We have a contract (with Tevez) and it needs to be complied with." Tevez, who was the biggest acquisition by a Brazilian club in 2004, did not show up for practice on Monday and Tuesday. He was seen on Monday singing in a Buenos Aires night club where a band he helped create was performing. "He is likely to be punished because he left without talking to us and we have an important match coming up," Dualib said. Corinthians, in 17th place in the 20-team first division and struggling to avoid relegation, was to play Juventude Wednesday night in the southern city of Caxias do Sul. The defending champion has won two straight, but has only 19 points from 18 matches. After playin in the victory over Botafogo on Sunday, Tevez hinted he might leave the team. He did not elaborate, but said the match might have been his last with the club. Press reports said that Tevez was upset because Corinthians coach Leao refused to release him for Argentina's friendly against Brazil on Sept. 3 in London. Local media also said Tevez was upset after being dropped as the team captain. England-based Media Sports Investment, Corinthians' financial partner, paid a Brazilian record $19.5 million to transfer Tevez from Argentina's Boca Juniors in 2004. He led the club to its fourth Brazilian league title and was chosen as the league's best player. There have been rumors in recent months that Tevez would be transfered to an European club, but MSI president Kia Joorabchian and Dualib have denied the speculation. "There haven't been any offers so far," Dualib said, adding that now the club might be open for a negotiation because of Tevez's disappearance. Tevez, a member of Argentina's squad at the World Cup in Germany, has scored 15 goals for Corinthians this year. |