Carlos Tevez omission from Argentina squad a punishment

Argentina FA president Julio Grondona has claimed Carlos Tevez was left out of the squad to face Portugal this week because he opted out of last year's clash with Brazil in Doha.

It was thought Tevez had been left out of Sergio Batista's squad as a favour ahead of Saturday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

However, it appears there was a disciplinary measure behind the move.

Tevez missed the Brazil game after claiming he had an injury, only to score twice for City at Fulham just four days later.

And Grondona has indicated Tevez is now serving his punishment.

"I think that Tevez's absence is because of his attitude when he didn't come to play [against Brazil] and shortly after he took the field for his club," Grondona told Radio Pop.

"That attitude didn't go down well with the coaching staff, it was a lot easier to tell us that he didn't want to come."