FIFA vice-president says Tevez should be banned

City boss Roberto Mancini said he felt Tevez could never play for the club again after claiming the player refused to go on in the second half, and the club have since suspended the Argentina striker for two weeks.

Northern Irishman Boyce, speaking in a personal capacity, said: “I believe FIFA should have the power to ban the player from taking an active part in football. If he has done what has been said, then I think his club would be better off without him. It hasn’t occurred before but I think what happened was despicable.

“If this player did what he has been accused of doing, then if Manchester City were to release him I don’t think it would be right if he could go and earn a considerable amount of money somewhere else next week. If Carlos Tevez does it, who’s to stop someone else doing it the next week or the week after?”