Friday, October 25, 2013
Black players could boycott 2018 Russia World Cup, warns Toure
Yaya Toure has warned Russia they face a World Cup boycott by black players unless more is done to combat racist abuse.
Still seething at his treatment at the Khimki Arena on Wednesday, the Manchester City midfielder delivered his stark message as UEFA announced they were investigating CSKA Moscow over the racist behaviour of their fans.
With even a state-owned news agency admitting racist chanting was common at Russian league games, Toure spelled out the consequences of failing to clamp down.
Speaking after being subjected to monkey chants in City’s Champions League win, the Ivory Coast midfielder said: ‘It is a real problem here, something that happens all the time, and of course they need to sort it out before the World Cup. Otherwise, if we are not confident coming to the World Cup in Russia, we don’t come.’
Still seething at his treatment at the Khimki Arena on Wednesday, the Manchester City midfielder delivered his stark message as UEFA announced they were investigating CSKA Moscow over the racist behaviour of their fans.
With even a state-owned news agency admitting racist chanting was common at Russian league games, Toure spelled out the consequences of failing to clamp down.
Speaking after being subjected to monkey chants in City’s Champions League win, the Ivory Coast midfielder said: ‘It is a real problem here, something that happens all the time, and of course they need to sort it out before the World Cup. Otherwise, if we are not confident coming to the World Cup in Russia, we don’t come.’
