World Cup 2014: Yaya Toure claims no-one cares about Ivory Coast exit because they are African

The Manchester City striker has suggested in the past his talents have been overlooked due to his place of birth

Yaya and Kolo Toure train with the Ivory Coast side at the World Cup (GETTY IMAGES)

Yaya Toure has claimed there has been little attention paid to the exit of Ivory Coast from the World Cup because they are an African nation.

The Elephants, among the African nations tipped to progress well in the tournament, were knocked out at the group stage when they lost to Greece in a match decided by a late Georgios Samaras penalty.

"I desperately wanted the referee to spot the simulation of Samaras," Toure told France Football.

"Once again, the refereeing was not on our side. We had at least two penalties turned down during our game against Japan.

"And this time, one is invented against Greece."

Samaras came under a clumsy challenge from Giovanni Sio during injury time before picking himself up to convert the penalty and make it 2-1 to Greece in Fortaleza. It was a result that sent the Ivory Coast home when what they needed was at least a draw.

Toure, who has hinted at a move away from Manchester City this summer, went on: "Of course, it does not upset anyone because it only concerns an African team.

"Who really cares about the injustices of an African team? This mistake deprives us of something huge. It is a scandal that unfortunately does not seem to bother many people."

Yaya Touré has defended his posturing over his future at Manchester City (Getty Images)

Earlier this year, in response to Samir Nasri suggesting Toure would be celebrated as one of the world's best players if he was not from Africa, Toure said: "I think what Samir was saying was definitely true.

"To be honest, proper recognition has only come from the fans. I don't want to be hard and I don't want to be negative, but I want to be honest.

"If we play well and we don't have the recognition from the media, we are not going to be where we want to be."

Toure is a three time African player of the year. The two-time Premier League champion came third behind Luis Suarez and Eden Hazard in the most recent PFA Players' Player of the Year award.