Yaya Toure’s personal battle with Manchester City was reignited today, as he claimed the club refused to give him time off to spend with his dying brother, instead forcing him to go on a post-season tour of the Middle East.
Toure, who’s brother Ibrahim, 28, died last week after a battle with cancer, has had problems with the club since the end of the season. Most notably a row over a non-existent birthday cake, but if these quotes are true, there may have been an underlying issue to the whole matter.
At the end of the season, I wanted to stay for four or five days with my brother before I flew to prepare for the World Cup with Ivory Coast, except that City did not want to grant me a few days.
I went to celebrate the title championship in Abu Dhabi while my brother was lying in his sickbed. By fortune, Kolo was at his bedside. After that I blame myself for not insisting and for not making them respect me.
However, club officials knew very well that I was suffering for a few months as the health of my brother declined. This is the reason I had several injuries at the end of the season, because my head had taken control of my body. These last four months have probably been the hardest in my life.
Ivory Coast play their last match of the group stages later today with both Toure brothers expected to feature.
Quotes via DailyMail.
