Yaya Toure: Manchester City star says African Player of the Year awards 'shame' continent

Yaya Toure thinks the African Player of the Year awards have brought "shame" to the continent. The Manchester City midfielder finished in second place, behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, at the awards ceremony in Nigeria and he is deeply upset by the outcome.

The 32-year-old has won the coveted award for the previous four years in succession. He was considered to be among the frontrunners again this year, after captaining Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations.

"I'm very, very disappointed," Toure told Afrique Foot. "It's sad to see Africa react this way, that they don't think African achievements are important."

The Manchester City star said the outcome of the awards was "pathetic" and a reflection of the continent's tendency to favour European football over results achieved in Africa.

Aubameyang, 26, is the top goalscorer in German football and is among the most sought-after players in Europe, with Arsenal among a number of clubs rumoured to be interested in the Gabon striker.

"I think this is what brings shame to Africa, because to act in that way is indecent. But what can we do about it? Us Africans, we don't show that Africa is important in our eyes. We favour more what's abroad than our own continent. That is pathetic," the Manchester City midfielder claimed. "Even Fifa, with all its history of corruption, wouldn't do this."