Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini had a blazing row with star striker and captain Carlos Tevez as the uneasy truce between the two men exploded during half-time of the club's 2-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday.
Mancini and Tevez stood toe-to-toe exchanging verbals as the inquest into a lacklustre first half turned heated in the home dressing room at City's Eastlands stadium.
At one point it looked as though Tevez may even be substituted.
It is understood that the mood turned sour on Sunday when Mancini entered the dressing room after his players and heard Tevez saying something he didn't like.
City's Italian manager then made a comment of his own and Tevez jumped up from his seat to confront him.
Words were exchanged and other members of the team and backroom staff had to intervene.
More Bust-up bollox from the Sun: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... ncini.html
MCF.NET THREAD: http://www.mancityfans.net/mcfnet/viewt ... 19&t=35075
Nigel de Jong in talks over new Manchester City deal despite being dropped by Holland
Nigel de Jong is set to continue talks over a new contract at Manchester City after being dropped from the Dutch squad and condemned by Holland manager Bert van Marwijk following the tackle which left Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa with a double leg break.
De Jong is now expected to undertake further discussions over improving his contract at Eastlands after being told by Van Marwijk that he is no longer required for the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Moldova and Sweden.
Contract talks with City began during the summer, with further meetings between club and player taking place in recent weeks, so the move to extend his contract beyond the final 2½ seasons of the 25 year-old's £90,000-a-week deal has not been arranged as a show of support in the wake of De Jong's removal from the Dutch squad.
Sport on television But City officials are bemused by Van Marwijk's decision to make an example of De Jong following an incident that went unpunished by referee Martin Atkinson during Sunday's 2-1 victory against Newcastle.
By admitting to the Football Association that he saw the tackle on Ben Arfa and chose to take no action, Atkinson has ensured that no retrospective action can be taken against De Jong.
The third-minute challenge was described as "needless" by Newcatle manager Chris Hughton and Ben Arfa is likely to be out until March at the earliest after undergoing surgery on Monday.
But with De Jong breaking the leg of Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden during a Holland v United States friendly in March, followed by his infamous 'kung-fu kick' foul on Spain's Xabi Alonso in the World Cup final, Van Marwijk took the rare step of dropping the player, who earned the nickname of 'The Lawnmower' during his spell at Hamburg, due to the furore caused by the challenge.
Van Marwijk said: "I just informed the squad and told them I saw no other possibility (but to remove De Jong). In the near future I will discuss this matter with Nigel, but right now we have to focus on the upcoming two matches.
"I've seen the pictures. It was a wild and unnecessary offence. He went in much too hard and it is unfortunate, especially since he does not need to do it.
"The funny thing is that the referee did not even show a yellow card for it. Apparently, there are other standards. But I have a problem with the way Nigel needlessly looks to push the limit and I am going to speak to him."
Ben Arfa, on a season-long loan at Newcastle from Marseille, has vowed to make a swift recovery from the injury, with his agent, Michel Ouazine, insisting that the France winger is determined to bounce back.
Ouazine said: "I had a phone call with Hatem while he was in the ambulance and I felt I was more shocked than himself, but he told me there is just one thing to do – fight back."
Ben Arfa, 23, is expected to undergo part of his rehabilitation in France having spent just over a month on Tyneside since his arrival from Marseille.
Hughton said: "I am absolutely devastated for Hatem. To get injured at any time is bad enough, but to suffer such a horrendous injury as a double leg break is sickening for the lad.
"After playing only a handful of games for us, scoring a cracking goal at Everton and doing fantastically well, it's a cruel and devastating blow."
WAG OF THE DAY
http://italy.theoffside.com/wags/wag-of ... mazza.html
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has reignited the possibility of a move to Arsenal by saying he will consider offers that are put to Fulham in January. ESPNsoccernet
Schwarzer's departure would result in Fulham boss Mark Hughes renewing his efforts to lure Manchester City keeper Shay Given to Craven Cottage. (Daily Express)
Chelsea have joined Inter Milan and Bayern Munich in the race to land Marseille defender Taye Taiwo. talkSPORT
Manchester United are continuing to track Aalesunds' Denmark international goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard. Daily Mail
Arsenal are set to bid £12.9m for Anderlecht's promising young striker Romelu Lukaku. caughtoffside.com
Sunderland are tracking Almeria's £5m-rated striker Kalu Uche with a view to making a bid in January. talkSPORT
Bolton manager Owen Coyle is to hold talks with Johan Elmander about a new contract, with the striker available on a free transfer at the end of this season. Daily Mail
Stoke are battling it out with Bayern Munich to sign £8m-rated Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia. Daily Mirror
New Leicester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will be given a £10m transfer kitty to boost Leicester's dream of a Premier League return. Daily Mirror
Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar has admitted he may have to leave the club after growing frustrated at a lack of first team opportunities at White Hart Lane. (the Times)
OTHER BOLLOX
Trevor Brooking believes the current crop of young English talent can flourish in time for the 2018 World Cup. The Mirror
Wales's caretaker boss Brian Flynn is dismayed that Danny Gabbidon didn't tell him about his decision to quit international football. Daily Mail
Former Tottenham defender Justin Edinburgh is being lined up to replace Chris Sutton as Lincoln manager. Daily Mail
FINAL BOLLOX
Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel has denounced claims in the Dutch media that Nigel De Jong is "a criminal" after Bert van Marwijk dropped him from the national side for his tackle on Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa, insisting he is "a sweet guy". Algemeen Dagblad http://translate.google.co.uk/translate ... B:official
RIP BOLLOX
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