Pro Eleven Headline News
Toure: Ivory Coast must reach WCup to honor dead
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Yaya Toure wants to honor the 19 fans who died during a stadium stampede at a qualifying match in the Ivory Coast by reaching the 2010 World Cup.
The injured midfielder missed Sunday's 5-0 win over Malawi in Abidjan, where another 132 people were wounded.
"After the game I spoke with the captain, Didier Drogba, my brother (Kolo Toure) and the coach. Behind this victory was a tragedy and it's difficult because they are Ivory Coast supporters and we know them well," Toure said Monday. "We have to go as far as we can in this competition for all the people who died."
Witnesses said a wall at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium collapsed under the weight of fans, who set off the stampede by rushing toward the field.
The stadium was packed as fans attended to see players such as Drogba, who plays his club football for Chelsea in England.
"Many people come out to the national team games in my country because they are very happy to see the footballers that play in Europe," said Toure, who plays at Spanish club Barcelona. "It's a very important tragedy. We're all conscious that this is something that is very difficult and I want to send a message of solidarity."
On Monday, FIFA asked for a full report into what caused the tragedy. USA Today
Kroenke increases stake in Arsenal to 20.5 percent
LONDON (AP) — Arsenal director Stan Kroenke has increased his stake in the Premier League club to 20.5 percent at a cost of $60.3 million.
The American businessman, who was appointed to the board last year, has bought a third of fellow director Daniel Fiszman's stake in the Gunners, the club said on Monday.
Kroenke previously had a 12.4 percent stake in the club.
Fiszman, whose stake in Arsenal is reduced to 16.1 percent, says he does not intend to sell any more shares.
Earlier this year, Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov increased his stake in the club to more than 25 percent.
Kroenke also owns the NBA's Denver Nuggets, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. Associated Press
