Manchester City midfield star Yaya Toure says he was the target of racist chants in Moscow - the location of the 2018 World Cup - during their midweek 2-1 Champions League victory over CSKA Moscow.
According to Toure, he was referred to as a “monkey” among other insults tossed at him by the home fans.
The Russian club has denied all claims that their fans chanted racial insults, but UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against CSKA.
“We are all humans” said Toure. “It is not a nice feeling to go and play a football match - to bring joy to the people - and to be called a monkey or to hear monkey noises. I don’t look like a monkey. That’s what disappoints me so much.”
According to the 30-year-old midfielder, he approached match referee Ovidiu Hategan about the chanting and noises, but the referee chose to do nothing.
CSKA Moscow striker and Toure’s Ivory Coast teammate Seydou Doumbia said the City midfielder’s claims were “clearly exaggerated,” casting some doubt upon what actually happened.
Toure didn’t stop at just asking for UEFA to act, however. The star suggested that black players could boycott the 2018 World Cup if the situation didn’t improve.
“It’s very important (that the situation gets resolved)” said Toure. “Otherwise if we are not confident coming to the World Cup in Russia, we don’t come.”