Yaya Touré has hit out at Manchester City once again, claiming the club made him go on a trip to the Middle East when he wanted to spend time with his dying brother.
Ibrahim Touré died last week at the age of 28 from cancer, with Yaya telling France Football: “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 (who plays for Liverpool) 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.”
Relations between City and Touré have been strained since his agent claimed that the Ivorian was ignored by the club’s owners on his 31st birthday, with reports that he could leave this summer for Paris Saint Germain.
