Brother of 2 World Cup Cote d'Ivoire players dies at 28

BRASILIA, Brazil, June 20 (UPI) -- Cote d'Ivoire's soccer team suffered losses both on and off the World Cup field on Thursday.

After losing a match against Colombia 2-1, soccer stars Yaya and Kolo Toure learned that their brother had died after a brief battle with cancer.

Ibrahim Toure was 28 when he died Thursday in Manchester, England. Like his brothers, he played soccer professionally, most recently with Lebanon's Al-Safa soccer club.

Cote d'Ivoire's football association issued a statement, with its president asking Ivorians for their prayers.

"In such a sad situation, the Ivory Coast team and the entire delegation here in Brazil, show their support to the Toure brothers and their family."