SOCCER: Manchester City manager Mark Hughes will wait until Robinho returns from Brazil before deciding what action, if any, to take against the club's record signing. The player is facing possible disciplinary action after leaving City's training camp in Tenerife without permission. He returned home to Santos claiming he had to deal with a family matter.
Hughes has spoken to the former Real Madrid forward by telephone and expects to see him at the weekend. City’s next match is against Newcastle on Wednesday.
“He will back at the weekend, ready to train at the first available opportunity,” said Hughes.
“Once Robby is back I will sit down with him and decisions will be made after that.”
Robinho insists he does not have any problems with the manager and says there is no rift with Hughes.
“I have a good relationship with Mark Hughes and have always respected his decisions,” Robinho stated on his official website. “He is the boss!”
Robinho, who arrived from Real Madrid on September 1 for a British record fee of €40million, feels he has settled in well to life in England.
“I like living in Manchester and I have made many friends at the club and at the city, since I arrived last year,” he said.
“I admire the Manchester City fans, who are true lovers of football and loyal to the players.
“I am looking forward to delivering as many goals as possible to help our team move to the next level.”
Meanwhile, former Real Madrid technical director Arrigo Sacchi believes Robinho “lost his head” when joining Manchester City - and allowed money to dictate the transfer.
Sacchi is concerned about the player, saying: "He obviously lost his head when looking at all those figures and let money dictate.
"It was not a footballing choice. And now, at City, he has lost the happiness that football gave him. And, just as sad, is that he has lost the 'fantasy' in his football.
"He totally messed up. No one can choose to leave Real Madrid in order to go to a club like Manchester City!
"A top player aged only 24 can never leave Real Madrid like he did and for those reasons."