Yaya Toure dropped from Soccer Aid after reported pornographic WhatsApp post and offering to hire sex workers for team-mates

Charity match takes place on Sunday

Former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure (Getty Images)

Former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has been dropped from Unicef’s annual charity Soccer Aid match after reportedly posting a pornographic video in a WhatsApp group with other players, as well as offering to hire sex workers for them.

Toure will no longer play in the game at Old Trafford on Sunday following complaints about messages he sent, which reportedly included a video showing a naked woman in a bath.

The 37-year-old, who also played for Barcelona, is said to have also offered to hire 19 sex workers for team-mates.

Sources told The Sun, who first reported the news, that several complaints were made to Soccer Aid, Unicef’s annual charity event involving celebrities and former players, and that Toure was criticised at a hotel on Friday morning during a breakfast with other players.

“Inappropriate content was shared in a private group text,” a spokesman for Soccer Aid said.

“The message was quickly deleted and a full apology was made to all. Soccer Aid for Unicef has discussed the above with the individual involved and he has decided to no longer continue to participate in this year’s event.

“While it was an error of judgment, it was felt that the behaviour didn’t align with the values of the event and its cause, and it was the right thing for him to step back from this year’s match.”

Toure tweeted on Saturday: “I would like to apologise to everyone involved in Soccer Aid for an inappropriate joke I deeply regret. It was meant as a joke however I lacked thorough consideration for the feelings of all the other participants.

“That being said I deleted the jokes within minutes and I immediately apologised to all inside the group.

“Regardless of the circumstances, I want to take full responsibility. I am a grown man who should not be engaged in such jokes.”