Ivory Coast and Man city midfielder Yaya Toure, has labelled the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as ‘indecent’ and ‘pathetic’ for not awarding him the African Player of the Year award.
Toure’s complaints appeared to have come from a perceived lack of recognition of Ivory Coast winning the Africa Cup of Nations back in February.
The Manchester City midfielder was pipped to the gong by Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as he missed out on winning for the fifth season running.
Aubameyang, born in France to a Spanish mum but a Gabonese international, has already scored 24 goals in 23 games this campaign and collected the prestigious prize on Friday.
“I’m very, very disappointed. It’s sad to see Africa react this way, that they don’t think African achievements are important.
“I think this is what brings shame to Africa, because to act in that way is indecent. But what can we do about it? Us Africans, we don’t show that Africa is important in our eyes. We favour more what’s abroad than our own continent. That is pathetic,” he lamented.
Toure continued, claiming that even FIFA would not have come to the result.
“I’ll give an example. Messi won all the trophies, but it’s Cristiano Ronaldo who won the award [Ballon d’Or 2014]. What would you say? It’s unfair.
“Even FIFA, with all its history of corruption, wouldn’t do [what CAF judges did].
“Yaya will take care of Yaya and let Africa take care of itself. As I’ve been told many times, you can’t take care of Africa too much because Africa will be the first to let you down.
“When I return to Europe, a lot of questions will be asked. I think I’m going to have to answer them. As I’m someone who’s honest, I will always tell the truth,” he fumed.