Guardiola was Toure’s manager at both Barcelona and Man City
Pep Guardiola has hit back at Yaya Toure, calling accusations made by the midfielder that he is racist ‘a lie’.
Toure is leaving Manchester City this summer when his contract expires, and he launched a tirade against his former manager last week, suggesting Guardiola has issues with African players.
“He was cruel to me,” Toure was quoted as saying. “Do you really think Barcelona could have done that with Iniesta? I came to wonder if it was not because of my colour.
“I am not the first to talk about these differences in treatment. In Barca, some have also asked the question. Maybe we Africans are not always treated by some in the same way as others.
“When we realise that he often has problems with Africans wherever he goes, I ask myself questions…
“When the day comes that he picks a team featuring five Africans – and not naturalised Africans – I promise I will send him a cake!”
Guardiola has since come out to hit back at Toure’s claims.
Speaking to TV3, Guardiola said: “It’s a lie and he knows it.
“We were together for two years and now this is when he says it.
“He never told me face to face.”
