Yaya Toure's agent Dimitri Seluk has responded to Pep Guardiola's demands for an apology by telling the Manchester City manager "I can say whatever I like."
Guardiola said on Tuesday that Toure will not play for City again until he receives an apology for comments made by his agent, who said the Catalan was "humiliating a great player" by leaving him out of his Champions League squad.
However, Seluk responded later in the day, telling Sky Sports News that he can say what he likes and will only apologise if Guardiola first issues an apology to Manuel Pellegrini, whom he succeeded as City boss in the summer.
"What do I need to apologise for?" Seluk said. "Guardiola wins a few games and he thinks he is king. I live in Europe so I can say whatever I like and Guardiola can't stop me.
"OK, I will apologise to Guardiola if he will apologise to Pellegrini for what he did to him. If you are a gentleman, this just does not happen. Pellegrini signed a new contract last year and then he gets pushed out for Guardiola to come in. Pellegrini was a gentleman."
BREAKING: Seluk: "I live in Europe so I can say whatever I like and Guardiola can't stop me." (2/3) #SSNHQ
- Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) September 20, 2016
Seluk also said that Guardiola owes Joe Hart an apology after allowing the long-serving City goalkeeper to leave on loan to Torino last month after winning two Premier League titles at the club alongside Toure.
"Guardiola also needs to apologise to Joe Hart," he said. "It is not normal and it is not right to come to England and to get rid of the few English players. When you come to a country you must respect the country and respect its people.
"When Yaya went to Man City, they could only dream about the Champions League. The biggest stars in Europe did not want to come to City, but Yaya came. They weren't a big club. After he arrives they started winning; two league titles, cups and now the semis of the Champions League.
"I want Man City to win everything; to win all their games because it means more trophies for Yaya. City have great players, but Guardiola wants a new future for Yaya, for Hart. And they won't be the last.
"I respect managers like [Leicester City's] Claudio Ranieri who achieve without spending so much money on players."
Toure, who missed three days of training last week with a migraine, has made only one appearance under Guardiola this season -- the Champions League playoff second leg against Steaua Bucharest -- and has not featured in the matchday squad for the seven other City fixtures.