Manchester City must play Carlos Tevez this season or risk losing him for nothing.

FIFA rules state that established first-team players have to be released from their contracts if they have played in less than 10 per cent of that season's games 'for no sporting just cause'.

Tevez has appeared in five matches. And with City likely to play around 60 this season the Argentine would have to come on in one more.

Article 15 of FIFA's rules is a massive headache for City after boss Roberto Mancini said Tevez would never play for the club again.

City are adamant the striker is not going on the cheap and have even considered suing him for loss of worth if he goes for anything less than £40million.

But this ruling means they could be forced to sell him in January for whatever they can get.