Tevez dragged into match-fixing scandal

Manchester City skipper Carlos Tevez has been unintentionally dragged into a sensational match-fixing scandal, as a Greek court is examining evidence that City's Europa League game against Aris in February was the target of a betting scam.

While there is absolutely no suggestion either the player or the club have done anything wrong, prosecutors have presented extracts of a phone conversation in which one of the Greek team's players' claims Tevez would be approached to help them pull off the sting.

Aris midfielder Kostas Mendrinos is heard suggesting he could ask his team-mate and former City player Nery Castillo to persuade Tevez to let the Greek side kick off, The Sun reports.

Mendrinos allegedly said: "I will speak in all probability with Castillo to go and get Tevez, who is the captain, and we will also have told Koke (Aris captain) probably here for kick-off."

The taped conversation emerged after Greek secret police taped the phones of dozens of players and club officials they suspected might be involved in match-fixing.

Tevez on Sunday denied any knowledge of, or involvement in, the alleged scam.

His spokesman insisted: "It is impossible. Carlos has never heard such a thing and no one ever approached him."

City also pointed out that Tevez and Castillo never played together as the Mexican winger's loan period in England ended a year before the Argentinian striker left Manchester United for Eastlands.