Toure: Man. City midfielder criticises online abusers

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure says the abuse he has been subjected to on social media is “a disgrace”.

Police are investigating claims that Toure was racially abused on Twitter, only hours after he reactivated his account following a five-month absence.

“For me it’s a disgrace to be honest,” Toure, 31, told BBC Sport. “We need to do something to try to tell people those kinds of behaviour have to stop.

“I want those people to understand what they’re doing is wrong.”

Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out  said it had “received complaints” about two tweets of a “racist nature” and had informed the police on Monday.

Kick it Out said Toure had been back on Twitter “for a matter of hours” when he “received abuse of an appalling nature”.

Kick it Out said Toure had been back on Twitter

Toure was also the target of racist abuse last season when City beat CSKA Moscow in Russia

Toure was also the target of racist abuse last season when City beat CSKA Moscow in Russia.

“To have such aggression in sport, I can’t understand that. That’s why I’ve been trying to fight it,” added Toure.

“Football doesn’t have a colour. We’re just people from all over the world trying to enjoy the game.

“I never see this in rugby, I never see that in tennis or anything else, I don’t know where it’s coming from.”

Toure fears failure to stamp out online abuse will force other footballers to steer clear of social media.

“For me it’s OK because I have experience but for young lads, who will maybe go on Twitter and find that. First they’ll be afraid, second they’ll close their account,” he said.

Asked if he found the abuse hurtful, Toure said: “To be honest with you no, because I’ve been attacked like that for many years. [But] I will never stop telling them they are wrong and have to change.”

Toure: Man. City midfielder criticises online abusers