Manchester City demand explanation for Robinho flit

The Brazilian left City's base on the island on Monday and flew back to his homeland despite having a request to be allowed home to celebrate his birthday turned down by the club's manager, Mark Hughes.Despite protestations yesterday from the player that he had left with the club's consent and that he would willingly return to Eastlands "in a few days", he is likely to incur a £300,000 fine.Last night Hughes was trying to contact the player to establish his reasons for leaving Tenerife without permission.Garry Cook, the club's executive chairman, admitted he did not know why the player had left the camp but said he expected him to be present for the visit of Newcastle on Saturday.Cook said: "Mark has some clear guardrails around the discipline of footballers and the roles they play. If he has broken those then we will manage that internally. But until I get all the details I don't know much more. Whether he faces punishment will depend on what the family issues he has to sort out are.''Should Robinho's explanation not pass muster, he is likely to face the maximum two-week fine agreed with the Professional Footballers' Association.In his time at Real Madrid, Robinho earned a reputation for ill-discipline and the occasional disappearance. Cook last night insisted he did not believe the player had been unsettled by the club's failure to land Kaka, a close friend and the quality of player Robinho was promised would soon join him when he agreed to move to Eastlands in August.Sources close to Chelsea have suggested the player remains a target for Luiz Felipe Scolari, but Cook was equally dismissive of suggestions the rumours had unsettled him. Cook said: "I don't know why he left, but the collapse of the Kaka deal and the Robinho issues are unconnected."It would be disappointing if players are only happy at this club because they are expecting other players to be brought in."I have not heard of any interest from Chelsea. I'd be surprised if he was unsettled and Mark has certainly not said he is unsettled. Robinho remains employed by this club and his job is to play football for us in the Premier League. Until I hear otherwise I assume that's the case."A spokesman for Robinho claimed yesterday that the Brazilian was "impressed by the owner's vision and the passion of the fans," while the player was keen to underline his commitment and insisted he had told City he needed to return to his homeland. "I had made Manchester City aware that I needed to return to Brazil because of a family matter,'' he said. ''I will return to the club and hope to sort this out as soon as possible. Up until Monday it was my understanding the club had no problem with my plans."I feel it is important to underline that I did not return to Brazil because of the Kaka deal. He is a good friend and it would have been great to see him at Manchester City but it had nothing to do with his decision to stay in Milan."I am committed to helping Manchester City become the force the owners assured me they will become."

Source: Telegraph