Award Squabble

This much is for sure: Yaya Touré is not a man who minces words. Shortly after coming in second in the vote for Africa's Football Player of 2015, the Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder vented his spleen in an interview with Radio France International.

"It's sad to see Africa react in this way - it does not give importance to African things," the 32-year-old said. "This is what makes the shame of Africa. To behave in this way is indecent, but what can we do? We don't show that Africa is important in our eyes. We give more priority to what is happening elsewhere than to our own continent. This is what is pathetic."

Touré, who captained Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations title last year, also implied that not all was aboveboard in the award going to Gabonese forward Aubameyang.

"Even FIFA with all of its history of corruption would not do this," he said, continuing on to speak about himself in the third person and criticize his home continent. "Yaya will look after himself and let Africa look after itself. Like I'm often told, you shouldn't worry too much about Africa because Africa will be the first to let you down."

The player who came in third in the vote, Swansea and Ghana forward André Ayew, who was the leading scorer at the Cup of Nations, supported Touré's position.

"We must respect the competitions - if we Africans do not, who will?" Ayew told the website lequipe.fr. "Frankly, it was Yaya or me this year."

Gabonese football fans predictably disagreed, giving Aubameyang a rapturous reception in the Gabonese capital Libreville on Friday.

"He has risen through the ranks and this is a just reward," said Brice Ignegue - the president of the Gabonese national team's fan club - told the AFP news agency.

Gabon president Ali Bongo Ondimba also awarded Aubameyang with one of the country's leading civil honors, Commander of the National Order of Merit.