YAYA TOURE believes racism in football is getting worse because “fans are more stupid than before”.
A number of high-profile incidents over recent months – both in England and abroad – shows the disgusting trend appears to be on the rise again.
Yaya Toure believes racism in football remains a problem because people are becoming more stupidCredit: AFP or licensors
Toure’s former Manchester City team-mate Mario Balotteli was targeted with abuse by supporters in November.
He called those supporters “small-minded” and “imbeciles” while Cagliari fans made monkey noises towards Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku earlier in the season.
Balotelli and Lukaku are among a growing list of players who have been victims of such abuse in Serie A this term, with the league then using the faces of three monkeys to front their anti-racism campaign.
This month Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport was criticised for the headline ‘Black Friday’ alongside images of Roma defender Chris Smalling and Lukaku.
But the problem is not restricted to Italy, with a man arrested after this month’s Manchester derby for allegedly making a racist gesture.
Toure has spoken with Fifa about what can be done but knows there is no quick fix.
The former Ivory Coast star said: “I’ve had a chat with Fifa because this is something very important which we have to look at carefully.
“I know it will be difficult because the way to win this case is going to be very long.
“Fans, people, now are more stupid than before.
“Of course it is shocking because we are in 2019. In 2020, 2025 we have the kids coming through – what are we going to do? You can’t continue like that.”
LIVERPOOL LEGACY
Toure is in Doha at the Club World Cup as a guest of Fifa and, while he was not overly impressed with Liverpool’s last-gasp win over Monterrey in the semi-final, he believes Jurgen Klopp’s side are well set to win the Premier League title ahead of his former club City.
He added: “Liverpool are great, they are doing very well and they deserve their position at the moment.
“There is a long way to go but Liverpool are a good side and they look much stronger than last year.
“The way I see City is their form this year has been quite complicated but ten points in front Liverpool have a good, good chance.
“When you see the league today there are a few teams who are quite disappointed, like Arsenal and a couple of others, but Liverpool have the chance to have the honours this year.”
Toure is also a fan of Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, whom he believes will win next month’s African Player of the Year and should have won the Ballon d’Or which was awarded to Lionel Messi instead of finishing fourth.
The Qingdao Huanghai midfielder, who wants Liverpool to beat Flamengo in Saturday’s final, said: “To be honest he deserved to win the Ballon d’Or first. In Africa we don’t see any better players than him.
“Did you see the votes, did you see what he did in the last year, how many goals he scored, what he achieved with Liverpool?
“For me it is a shame when a team wins this trophy (the Champions League) and the winner of the Ballon d’Or is not coming from there.”
Mario Balotelli walked off the pitch when he was racially abused during a Serie A match this seasonCredit: EPA
Sadio Mane should have won the Ballon d’Or ahead of Lionel Messi, reckons ToureCredit: AFP or licensors
Man United star, Fred, targeted with vile racist slur as fan appears to direct monkey chant in his direction
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
