Tevez Dropped By Argentina For Missing Exhibition

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Carlos Tevez was dropped from Argentina's against Portugal in Geneva on Wednesday night as punishment for missing the November match against Brazil.

Julio Grondona, president of the Argentina Football Association, said in a radio interview that new Argentina coach Sergio Batista was upset the Manchester City forward played for his club a few days after the Brazil game.

"I think the absence of Tevez is because of the attitude he had when he didn't come to play for the national team against Brazil in Qatar, and then played for his Manchester City club," Grondona told Radio Pop. "The coaching staff did not like this attitude."

When Batista announced his latest roster two weeks ago, he said he was giving Tevez a rest. Tevez's absence, and injuries to Diego Milito and Gonzalo Higuain have left Argentina short on forwards.

Argentina's next game is against the United States on March 26 at East Rutherford, N.J.