Toure wants UEFA to tackle racism

23 October 2013 23:01

Yaya Toure called on UEFA to take strong action after suffering alleged racial abuse during Manchester City's Champions League tie at CSKA Moscow.

The City midfielder appeared to be the target of monkey-chanting from a section of the home support during City's 2-1 victory in Group D of the competition at the Khimki Arena.

City have confirmed they intend to make a formal complaint to UEFA over the matter.

The club have spoken to the European governing body's match delegate and will follow up with a written notice after their return to Manchester.

The incident comes 18 months after Porto were fined £16,700 after their fans racially abused Mario Balotelli during a Europa League clash against City in February 2012.

Toure, who complained to the referee during the second half, said: "I'm not just disappointed, I'm furious. I'm very, very disappointed about what those fans have done today and I think UEFA has to take action because players with the same colour of skin will always be in the same position.

"For me, as captain, I was wearing an armband which said 'no to racism' and I was totally disappointed.

"I want to see UEFA do something and take some action.

"We have to be as strong as possible otherwise they will continue like that.

"Maybe they could ban the stadium, I don't know, for a couple of years or a couple of months.

"The club may say they have to educate the fans, but I think it's enough. Too much is too much. We have to stop it now.

"I played in Ukraine. It's not only in Eastern Europe and I have some friends who have had problems too.

"It's stupid these people. I don't know, it just happens in football. It's unbelievable.

"They're stupid, they're just stupid. UEFA has to take action to right it otherwise I think they will just continue."

City manager Manuel Pellegrini did not hear the alleged chanting clearly, but was saddened that the matter had again arisen.

The Chilean, who conducted his press conference behind a UEFA placard that read 'no to racism', said: "I didn't know what happened.

"There were some shouts against our player, it is a pity that we still have those stupid things.

"But I hope the right message can be put out for Yaya and Manchester City.

"I cannot answer the question about how Yaya is feeling as I haven't spoken to Yaya, so I cannot say anything about that."

City's regular captain Vincent Kompany was not involved due to injury but tweeted: "Racist chants again in Moscow today.. We've all said enough. @UEFAcom, @GovernmentRF, CSKA, all eyes are on you now.. #StopRacism."

In terms of the positive action on the field, City took a huge stride towards a place in the last 16 by coming from behind to win with two goals from Sergio Aguero.

The assignment in the Russian capital had been a tricky one, especially with the uneven, threadbare pitch having been condemned by both managers prior to the game.

But despite having to hang on towards the end, and needing a good Joe Hart save in injury time to preserve the win, City dominated and should now be favourites to progress.

Pellegrini said: "It was a very important victory and (we knew) if we (were to) win, we (would) have a lot of chances to going into next round.

"The next game is at home. We can decide if we can qualify for the next round and that is very important for us."

City fell behind after former Manchester United player Zoran Tosic struck after 32 minutes.

Just 10 minutes later they were ahead after a quickfire double from Aguero.

CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky said: "We started well and scored a deserved goal but but unfortunately we allowed them to quickly get a goal back, and then there were more threats to our goal.

"But in the second half we could still have equalised, so overall I am quite disappointed with the result."

Source: PA