Players' union says City's Tevez fine too severe

The soccer players' union in England says the fine given to Carlos Tevez by Manchester City was unjust, insisting the striker never refused to play in a Champions League game.

City fined Tevez four weeks' wages after citing him for misconduct in a sideline dispute during the 2-0 loss at Bayern Munich last month.

City had asked the Professional Footballers Association to ratify the fine. But its chief executive, Gordon Taylor, has backed the Argentine star after attending last week's hearing. Taylor's group says in a statement that ''based on all the evidence presented ... Tevez never refused to play for the club.''

The PFA says ''there is no justification for a fine other than ... two weeks' wages.''