Roberto Mancini believes Kolo Toure didn't make Man City outburst
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is prepared to overlook controversial comments attributed to defender Kolo Toure over team selection.
The Ivory Coast international, a fringe player this season, has been quoted in a French magazine claiming he feels he is being victimised for participating in the African Nations Cup (ANC) two years ago.
However, Toure has told Mancini he did not make those comments and the Italian today said he accepts that and will not delve deeper.
Mancini, speaking at a press conference to preview tomorrow's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, said: "I spoke about this with Kolo yesterday. He told me he didn't say anything about this.
"Kolo and I do not have any problem. He explained this to me and for me it is finished. It is okay now."
Asked if he believed Toure, Mancini said: "Yes I did, I believe him.
"I did not read the article so I don't know what Kolo said, I can say only yesterday at training he told me about this interview. I don't know what he said or didn't say."
Toure, who joined City in a £16million deal from Arsenal in 2009, missed the start of the current campaign as he completed a six-month suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.
The 30-year-old centre-half has since found Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott difficult to dislodge yet started City's last two matches.
He was quoted by So Foot as saying: "It's going to get more and more difficult for us, the Africans. To compete in the ANC, it's catastrophic these days.
"Coaches no longer want to sign players because of it. I am convinced that, if I am not playing, it's not only for football reasons."
Toure's lack of first-team action has led to speculation he could leave in the January transfer window.
Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with the defender, who is again likely to be in ANC action next month, but Mancini insists he has no intention of letting him go yet.
"In this moment, no. Kolo is part of our plans for this year," he added.
"Kolo is a good player, a good guy and if he plays or not - because we have a lot of good players - he is part of our plans.
"Kolo is important for us because he is experienced. In the summer he told me he wants to leave because he wants to play. I have respect for him and we can talk about this, but not now."
That's good enough for me.
