• Premier League

African players are victimised - Kolo Toure

ESPNsoccernet staff
December 6, 2011
Kolo Toure watches on from the stands © PA Photos
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Kolo Toure claims African players plying their trade in England are "victims of discrimination", and says Manchester City still hold ill will toward him after going away to the 2010 African Cup of Nations.

Toure will miss important Premier League action next month when he again heads to the continental showpiece to represent the Ivory Coast. The former Arsenal and City skipper contends this sort of absence is often held against African players away on international duty during the European season.

"It's going to get more and more difficult for us, the Africans," he told So Foot.

"To compete in the ANC, it's catastrophic these days. Coaches no longer want to sign players because of it. I am convinced that, if I am not playing [for City], it's not only for football reasons. If it was only about the game, I'd be playing every week. I am the victim of that, and it has to be said."

The defender also states City have never forgiven him for competing in the 2010 tournament, resulting in diminished playing time and Toure losing the club captaincy.

"When I was in Angola for the ANC in 2010, the club hired a plane so that I could get back as soon as possible for a match against Manchester United [the Carling Cup semi-final second leg]. I couldn't get back in time and we lost. I believe that the club have not got past that, and I'm paying for it now," said Toure.

Toure's tirade did not stop at criticising his employers either, as he launched into the club's latest £6 million signing, saying: "When you look at the performance of [Stefan] Savic [on his league debut] against QPR - excuse me, I'm relaxed.

"I know my qualities, I've got nothing to prove here in England, they know me here. Football's like that. It goes one way, then the other. The clubs at this level always have big squads. Look, I was the captain here. So was [Carlos] Tevez and he is no longer. Who would have thought that would happen?"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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