TOURE SUPERSTITION COULD PROVE COSTLY

Kolo Toure’s superstition could lead to the Ivorian missing out on a Champions League quarter final game, should Arsenal qualify against Roma.

Arsenal’s stand in skipper Kolo Toure was involved in a bizarre incident at the start of the second half in Arsenal’s first leg Champions League tie with Roma, which Arsenal won by a goal to nil.

The second half of the game kicked off with Arsenal fielding just nine players, missing were Kolo Toure and William Gallas.

Just moments after the whistle, Toure and Gallas'  made their way out of the tunnel and Toure, with the game having already kicked off, ran straight onto the pitch. The referee, Claus Bo Larsen, punished Toure for entering the field without permission with a yellow card.

Due to a superstition, Toure has to be the last player to leave the dressing room. As William Gallas was receiving treatment, both players were late in making the second half start.

In an effort to make amends for his late arrival, Toure went straight onto the pitch which resulted in a booking. This could have serious repercussions should he recieve another caution against Roma in the second leg and if Arsenal progress, as Toure would be suspended from playing in the quarter final game.

Toure said:

I’m always the one that comes last on the pitch and so I was waiting for William. When I came on I didn’t know I couldn’t come on straight away.

But the good news is that I’ve learned another ruling, so that is great.