Manchester City have made a dramatic climbdown over Roberto Mancini's claims that Carlos Tevez refused to play against Bayern Munich.
Tevez will still be hauled before a club internal inquiry in Manchester on Friday over his alleged actions during a Champions League tie at the Allianz Arena three weeks ago.
But the Mirror has learned from City sources that sensational evidence will show no one at the club has backed Mancini's version of events that night.
In fact, Tevez will not even be charged with refusing to play in Munich, as even Mancini's assistants Brian Kidd and David Platt and fitness coach Ivan Carminati were unable to back their boss up.
Tevez will be accused only of "refusing to carry out Roberto Mancini's and Ivan Carminati's instructions to resume warming up with a view to playing in the match".
City's ability to hit Tevez with a severe punishment may now be compromised by the reduced charge and the confused picture of events the written evidence is believed to present.
And it leaves Mancini in an uncomfortable situation as City head into their eagerly-awaited derby showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Sources say that written submissions from City staff and players paint a vivid picture of a bench in a state of chaos and uproar at the Allianz Arena.
Mancini was 'nervous' because City were 2-0 down and angry because striker Edin Dzeko had gestured angrily at him when he was substituted in the 55th minute.
At one point, Mancini is even believed to have shouted instructions at Tevez in Italian, even though the Argentine striker does not speak the language.
And it is thought that, in his testimony, Carminati admits that when he asked Tevez to warm up, the player replied, "I'm ready."
Mancini's evidence is believed to show that he is the only person on the bench that night sticking to the story that Tevez refused to play.
Sources say he maintains that Tevez said 'no' when he asked him for a second time to get off the bench, but even Mancini admits it was so noisy in the stadium that it was hard to hear what was being said.
And a submission from another member of City's staff is thought to suggest Tevez actually said "por que" (Spanish for 'why') when Mancini asked him to warm up again during the second half.
Neither Kidd, whose duties include filling out the substitutes' card to notify the fourth official of a change, nor Platt can say whether Mancini was even intending to put Tevez on.
Sources say that the written evidence will state no substitute's card with the name of Tevez on it was ever filled out.
It is thought that the striker will insist again at the hearing that he did not refuse to play in Munich, and will say he was unsure about whether to warm up because he had already spent 10 minutes exercising on the touchline at the start of the second half.
Written evidence also suggests events on the bench lurched into farce when Tevez finally grasped that Mancini wanted him to warm up again.
When the player stood up to head back out to the touchline, Mancini yelled at him to sit down and told him he didn't want to play him.
The Tevez camp has previously claimed it was that exchange which led to the 27-year-old telling Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves after the match that he was not in the right frame of mind to play.
The Argentine striker is thought to insist, once again, in his evidence that he never refused to go on to the pitch or refused to play - the accusation that Mancini levelled at him in the post-match press conference.
And written statements from more than a dozen City players and staff are believed to back up his version of events.
It is believed that the Tevez camp will fight any disciplinary action against the striker and are prepared to take the case to a Premier League tribunal.
David Silva: From a childhood in a Spanish fishing village to Premier League superstar
He has always been a bit of a dribbler... from the cot to the cauldron of Old Trafford on Sunday, where he will be the player for Manchester United to stop in a delicious derby encounter between the top two in the Barclays Premier League.
A dazzling footballer, who can play wide or through the middle - or even as centre forward, as he did for Spain against Scotland last week. He looks like the Lionel Messi of the Barclays Premier League... and you don't have to be a Manchester City fan to enjoy watching David Silva's graceful skills.
David Josue Jimenez Silva. The boy has come a long way from the fishing village of Arguineguin and these pictures from his family album, never before seen in the UK, trace those steps from clambering around his cot with his cousin to flashing a toothy grin on the day of his first communion.
It is remarkable that Real Madrid rejected the chance to sign him as a 14-year-old after his mentor, Vicente Miranda, persuaded the Silva family to travel to Madrid and take their talented son for a trial.
The Real manager Vicente del Bosque (now manager of Spain) had been so intrigued that he came down every afternoon to see how the little midfielder from Gran Canaria was progressing. It all seemed to be going to plan.
'He was very young and I knew he had so much potential,' said Miranda. 'Everyone was going crazy for him at the Real Madrid trials. He was so excited about the idea of playing for them. But they never called.'
It was a huge disappointment for a boy everyone was talking about back home. His family and Miranda had been sure he had done enough to earn a contract. Instead, he was told he was too small to make it at the Bernabeu.
Their loss, their mistake. Madrid tried to sign him from Valencia a decade later, with Chelsea also eager. But the Spanish club dropped their interest when Jose Mourinho became manager and so Silva signed for City and has shown why he had a World Cup and European Championship to his name by the age of 24. It surely won't be the last Silva-ware.
While he has settled quickly off the pitch, he is also a joy to watch, with his dribbling, passing and movement. Unlike many other players, he refuses to wear strapping to protect his feet and ankles. That way he can really feel the ball.
That relationship with the ball goes back to his early days in Arguineguin when, as a five-year-old, he used to play on the touchline as his father Fernando Jimenez played the game semi-professionally for the local team.
He may be known as the magician of Manchester after the weekend The fishermen greeted him as 'el Chino' - 'the Chinaman' in English - because of his small eyes, which come from his mother Eva Silva, who is of Japanese descent.
Silva started as a goalkeeper but soon found his true home on the wing, trying to mimic his idol Michael Laudrup's close control and dribbling skills while excelling for his youth team, San Fernando.
It was there a few years later that he was spotted by mentor Miranda, who persuaded the family to make the ultimately fruitless trip to Madrid.
Instead, it was Valencia who picked him up a few months later, having spotted him excelling at a junior tournament. He later benefited from loan spells at second division Eibar and first division Celta Vigo, where he became good friends with current Liverpool left back Jose Enrique.
Family matters: David with parents Fernando and Eva and sister Natalia on his brother Nano's first communion
Forty goals in four years for Valencia followed. Father Fernando, an ex-police officer, took a job as a security guard at Valencia when his son was there and now lives in England with his wife and son to satisfy David's craving for family life.
It is a relationship that continues to work for Silva and for City. Silva, who already boasts 52 caps, has played for Spain at Under 16, Under 17, Under 18, Under 20, Under 21 and now senior level.
While he hasn't always been first choice - he does have Chelsea's Juan Mata as well as the usual Barcelona brigade to contend with - his outstanding display against Scotland earned him attention and acclaim back in his homeland.
It followed a spectacular start to the season - he has been arguably the best player in England so far - and he is an idol in Gran Canaria too, where they renamed a sports club after him and now refer to him as 'el Mago de Arguineguin' - the Magician of Arguineguin.
He may be known as the magician of Manchester after the weekend.
Balotelli insists his bad-boy days are over
Mario Balotelli says he has put his bad-boy image and crazy days behind him and is relishing his new-found maturity.
Controversial Manchester City striker Balotelli has been involved in numerous incidents on and off the pitch since joining from Inter Milan in a £24million deal 14 months ago.
Balotelli, whose numerous scrapes include throwing darts at youth team players, a training-ground brawl and failing to attend City's FA Cup victory parade, insists he has finally grown up.
Four goals in as many games and no yellow cards in his eight appearances so far this season would seem to endorse Balotelli's claim that he has learned to control his petulant and destructive side.
"This is down to me, because it's me that has changed my life," said Balotelli.
"Well, I didn't change my life, but things like, I don't live in town anymore. I'm outside now [in the country] so it's more quiet.
"I try to stay at home more. Maybe I'll stay in now with my family, my brother or my girlfriend.
"They weren't here last year, they came sometimes but they were not based here. That's definitely helped.
"It's quieter now but also I am growing up. If, last year, I missed home so much, maybe now I miss it a little bit less.
"I'm OK now, I'm good. I'm happy - the only problem is the weather. Everything is getting better."
Balotelli scored 10 goals in 28 appearances last season but also picked up 11 yellow cards and two reds, one of which has seen him suspended for City's first three Champions League group games.
This season, Balotelli has cut a more disciplined figure on and off the pitch, and his performance levels seem to have increased as a result of this more mature approach.
As such, the 20-year-old is now seen as a key figure at City - rather than a liability - and could play a signficant role in Sunday's derby showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
"I'm getting better all the time," said Balotelli. "It's four goals in four games and I hope to God it will be five in five.
"It's the real Mario who is coming out now. It isn't the same Mario as last year."
Balotelli paid tribute to City manager Roberto Mancini, who was also his boss at Inter, for keeping faith with him.
"With Mancini, I feel very comfortable," he said. "I've known him a long time and he's a good manager.
"He believes in me. Even when no-one in England believed in me, he did.
"And he kept on believing in me. I want to do something important here with him."
Balotelli believes the Manchester derby has already eclipsed Inter v AC Milan in Italy and predicts it will soon be bigger than Barcelona v Real Madrid.
"Maybe now, City v United is better football than Milan v Inter," said Balotelli. "If I was sat at home and could watch one of the two, I think I'd watch United v City.
"Barcelona v Real Madrid is the biggest, for the history - but soon United v City will be the biggest derby in the world."
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[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Serie A giants Inter Milan are plotting a shock January raid for Bolton and England defender Gary Cahill. talkSHIT
Chelsea and Inter Milan have entered the race to sign Lille's £40m-rated winger Eden Hazard. Arsenal are interested in the 20-year-old, while Liverpool and Manchester City are also watching him. Daily Mirror
Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou has hinted at a move away from Stamford Bridge unless he starts getting more playing time. Daily Mirror
Everton are in the running to sign FC Dallas defender George John. the Sun
Marseille are eyeing a move to sign Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh when the January transfer window opens. talkSHIT
Ukrainian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk's defender Samuel Inkoom says he is on the verge of sealing a shock switch to Liverpool in January. Metro
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to revive his interest in experienced Marseille midfielder Lucho Gonzalez in January. Inside Futbol
The Gunners are also keeping tabs on £12m-rated Nigeria winger Ahmed Musa, who plays for Dutch side VVV Venlo. Daily Mail
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney could lead the Great Britain Olympic football team if he does not go to Euro 2012 with England. David Beckham, Michael Owen, Ryan Giggs and Joe Cole are also being mentioned as players who could fill the three over-23 berths in the 18-man squad. the Guardian
England manager Fabio Capello has had Joe Cole watched at his last two games for Lille as he considers handing the midfielder an international recall. Daily Star
Ryan Giggs will miss the Manchester derby on Sunday after the Manchester United midfielder was ruled out for two weeks with a hamstring injury. Times
Liverpool owner John W Henry has held clear-the-air talks with Bolton chairman Phil Gartside in an effort to defuse a row between the clubs which was sparked by Reds managing director Ian Ayre. Daily Mail
Tottenham defender Danny Rose is willing to go out on loan to gain more first-team experience. the Sun
Defender Branislav Ivanovic says Chelsea's players never doubted striker Fernando Torres would come good. Metro
Former Arsenal manager George Graham believes Russian midfielder Andrey Arshavin has been a poor buy for the Gunners and has questioned his commitment to Arsene Wenger's side. talkSHIT
Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand will be an honorary captain for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their NFL match against Chicago Bears at Wembley - three hours after playing in the Manchester derby on Sunday. Daily Mirror
Mason Bennett could become Derby's youngest-ever player on Saturday. The striker is just 15 years old and is in the squad for their Championship match against Middlesbrough. Rams boss Nigel Clough said: "We wanted to take him with us to Reading [on Tuesday], but we were mindful that he had to be in at school nice and early the following day!" Daily Mirror
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