Toure: City would not let me visit my dying brother

Yaya Toure

Manchester City star Yaya Toure has lifted the lid on the shocking insensitivity displayed by his club during his period of anguish over his terminally ill brother, who lost his battle with cancer last week.

Following Man City’s Premier League title win last month, the Ivorian midfielder was under obligations to travel to the United Arab Emirates and take part in a post-season celebratory friendly against Arabic side Al-Ain.

It has been reported by France Football, that Toure wished for time off from that particular club duty in order to visit his desperately sick brother Ibrohim, who at the age of 28 had been given just days or weeks to live.

The player revealed that the club was fully aware of the turmoil the Toure family were suffering with the deteriorating condition of Ibrahim, but despite this, would not grant him permission for leave.

Now, the player is rueful of not insisting he skipped the trip to the UAE in order to spend time with Ibrahim, having since been dealt the devastating blow of the loss of his brother, who passed away last week.

He said: “He [Ibrahim] was my confidante, my best friend too. City did not want to give me a few days.

“I went to celebrate the league title in Abu Dhabi, while my brother was dying in his bed.

“Afterwards, I was angry with myself for not having insisted. For not having enforced my absence from the trip.

“However, my officials knew that I was suffering for a few months at seeing my brother’s health decline.”

The Ivory Coast star, who is currently away in Brazil representing his national team in World Cup, is said to be no longer be happy at the Etihad. His agent Dimitri Seluk has confirmed discussions will take place on the 31-year-old’s return from Brazil, with respect to his immediate future.