Toure hailed over threat

YAYA Toure has been praised by Europe’s leading anti-discrimination group for raising the prospect of black players boycotting the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

UEFA has charged CSKA Moscow over the alleged racist behaviour of its fans towards Toure during the Champions League match against Manchester City on Wednesday night, and the Russian club will face a disciplinary hearing on October 30.

Toure has spoken of his disgust at hearing monkey chants, and Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted the Ivory Coast midfielder as saying: “If we aren’t confident at the World Cup, coming to Russia, we don’t come.”

Piara Powar, executive director of European anti-discrimination body FARE and a FIFA anti-discrimination task force member, said Toure was right to raise the issue of a World Cup boycott.

Powar said: “Yaya Toure is absolutely right in raising the spectre of African players or players of African heritage not going to the 2018 World Cup — and without them there will not be a World Cup in Russia.

“I wouldn’t blame them. In this era players are the most powerful force and if all the players said they are not going there wouldn't be a World Cup, or if there was it would be meaningless.”

CSKA Moscow are expected to challenge the UEFA charge.



MANCHESTER City head straight from their testing assignment in Russia into a tough clash at Chelsea this weekend.

City were extended both physically and emotionally in their Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow in midweek.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men emerged victorious — a vital 2-1 win putting them in sight of the knockout stages — but physically weary after being extended on a poor pitch.