ERIC WEIL in BUENOS AIRES: Often, when star players return to Argentina from Europe, they gradually sink to the lower standard of Argentine soccer. That may well happen – or his happening – to Carlos Tevez at Boca Juniors where he is not showing the form he had at Juventus last season.

But there are other reasons. Firstly, Boca Juniors do not have such a good team as Juventus But also he has been the player most fouled  — 26 times — in  the National League’s five matches in which he has played so far.

As a star player he receives special attention from rival markers whose main purpose is to get him off the field with an injury. Unfortunately, with the low standard of referees here, he does not receive adequate protection. How long will Tevez stand this without retaliating when he would be suspended, probably for longer than his opponent as the local disciplinary committee often makes strange mistakes and is too lenient to clean up local soccer.

Tevez is also being overplayed which makes it difficult for him to keep up his standard. He played 50 times for Juventus during last season, eight in the national team (Copa America and friendlies) and six for Boca Juniors (one a friendly) which totals 64 games practically without interruptions.

Now he is off on a national team two-match tour and urgently needs some rest which Boca Juniors may be reluctant to give him as they are fighting for the league title.

** To play a round of the national championship, including the top of the table clash between San Lorenzo and Boca Juniors, when 16 players are away on international duty, is absolutely ridiculous, but the Argentinian FA is growing more ridiculous all the time.

The international windows to play international matches were invented by FIFA to protect clubs from having their players called up at any time during the league season and more intelligent FA’s suspend league games.

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