Former Manchester City player Yaya Toure will miss Sunday’s Soccer Aid match after posting ‘inappropriate content’ in a WhatsApp group chat with other players and offering to hire sex workers for them. The Ivorian has since apologized for his actions.
Toure was to feature for the World XI team in Sunday’s Soccer Aid match. This year the UNICEF Charity Game will be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, with all funds raised to help children around the world fighting the outbreak.
? Football aid for @unicef_uk 2020?
⌚ 6:30 p.m
? Sunday 6 September
? @ITV | @WeAreSTV
? Old Trafford @ManUtd
⚽ England vs Soccer World XI FC
— Soccer Aid (@socceraid) August 26, 2020
Considering the events of recent months, the Soccer Aid fundraising match is more important than ever this year. But Toure will no longer be taking part, as The Sun reports he sent some rather cryptic messages to his World XI WhatsApp group, including former Man Utd defender Patrice Evra, Julie Flating, Leanne Sanderson and Chelsea. Grimes included.
The former Man City man is said to have posted a pornographic video of a naked woman in a bath. But it gets worse for Tor, as he then decides it’s a good idea to suggest that he can hire someone (like the video of the woman in the bath) to come to the hotel where he’s staying. are staying
But wait, it gets even worse. The 37-year-old claimed he could hire 19 such sex workers. Yes, you read that right – 19. Of course, for a match of such a specific nature, it crossed… well, several lines. He quickly removed the messages after others made his feelings very clear, but the damage was definitely already done.
Tor has been heavily criticized for his actions / Ruby J Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
An insider told The Sun: “It was absolutely embarrassing and it caused a lot of pain for some of the people who received the messages.”
Tor’s messages are said to have completely changed the mood within the squad, with many participants calling for his immediate removal from the match. In fact, he will not play a role, a SoccerAid spokesman confirmed: “Whilst this was an error of judgement, it was felt that this behavior was not consistent with the values and cause of the event. , and it is right for him to withdraw from this year’s match.
The former player once again took to Twitter to apologize for his actions, insisting that he deeply regrets what he did. He said: “I would like to apologize to everyone involved in Soccer Aid for an inappropriate joke which I deeply regret.
I made an inappropriate joke that I deeply regret and apologize for.
Please read my apology in full: pic.twitter.com/NG9CMaqFqw
— Yaya Toure (@YayaToure) September 5, 2020
“It was meant as a joke but I didn’t fully consider the feelings of the other participants. Having said that, I deleted the jokes within minutes and I immediately apologized to everyone within the group.
“We come together for a good cause and it takes away from the focus of the game, which is to bring everyone together to help children around the world. It’s sad to see that an inappropriate joke I made towards myself. Attracted who should be fully dedicated to the beauty of the game.Charitable games.
“Regardless of the circumstances, I want to take full responsibility. I’m a grown man who shouldn’t fall for such pranks.”