Record signing Robinho is expected to be fined by Manchester City when he returns to the his club.

The Brazil frontman flew out of City's warm-weather training camp in Tenerife yesterday to return home.

Although Robinho has now claimed he needed to attend an urgent family matter, Blues boss Mark Hughes was believed to be unaware of his departure.

A senior City official, when informed of a statement on Robinho's personal website where the 12-goal striker vowed to be back in Manchester in time to face Newcastle at Eastlands on January 28, tersely replied: 'An apology to Mark would have been nice as well.'

So, with chief executive Garry Cook confirming a 'breach of internal discipline' had occurred, unless further internal investigations reveal Robinho did inform another member of the Blues coaching staff he was flying back to South America, a financial penalty seems certain.

Not that Robinho is attempting to widen a rift with his club.
The 24-year-old insists he will smooth the problems out once he gets back to England.

'I will return to the club and hope to sort this out as soon as possible,' he said.

'I am committed to helping Manchester City become the force the owners assured me they will become.'

Robinho has also made clear his unscheduled journey had nothing to do with Kaka's rejection of City's mammoth offer to join his fellow Brazilian at Eastlands.

'It is important to underline that I did not return to Brazil because of the Kaka deal,' he said.

'He is one of my good friends 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.'

Chris Nathaniel, NVA Management chief executive and personal advisor to Robinho, added: 'It is unfortunate that the portrayal of Robinho's decision to fly to Brazil has been cast in such a negative light.

'I have no doubts that this will all be cleared up when Robinho returns to the UK. The player is impressed by the owner's visions for the club and loves the passion of the City fans.'

Widely assumed to be joining Chelsea, Robinho plumped for City when Real Madrid refused to do business with the Stamford Bridge outfit last summer.

On a footballing level, Robinho has been a success, netting 12 goals for his new club - all but one of which have come in the Premier League - and becoming an instant hit with the City faithful.

However, City's failure to establish themselves in the top half of the table under manager Hughes is bound to be a source of disappointment.

The striker has been giving Hughes some advice over his team building, claiming last week that even though he would like to see Kaka at Eastlands, defensive reinforcements were the priority.

Yet the player remains committed to City as quotes on his official website - attributed to 'sources close to Robinho' - said he is 'very happy' and has 'no intention of leaving his new home'.

The website continues by saying: 'He will for sure be playing on Wednesday against Newcastle and, as usual, he will give his all to help the club to achieve victory.

'He is very motivated and says he wants to be the league's top scorer. Therefore, while in Brazil with the family, he will be exercising and keeping fit for the upcoming match.'

RTE