Midfielder Yaya Toure accused Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola of having "problems with Africans" in an interview to be published on Tuesday by France Football magazine.
"He insists he has no problems with black players, because he is too intelligent to be caught out," Toure said.
"But when you realise that he has problems with Africans, wherever he goes, I ask myself questions."
The 35-year-old Ivorian played just 17 matches this season for City, who romped to the Premier League title, and he confessed to wondering if his limited playing time "was not because of my colour."
"There had already been some tensions," said Toure, who added that he was now taking responsibility for "being the one who smashed the myth of Guardiola."