Sterling was involved in an altercation with Liverpool’s Joe Gomez at St George’s Park on Monday, 24 hours after the top-of-the-table clash match between Liverpool and Manchester City.
The England boss has opted to leave the Manchester City winger out of the squad to face Montenegro on Thursday, though he is expected to be part of the team to face Kosovo three days later.
According to the former Ivorian international, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola may not approve of Sterling’s England ban.
“Pep Guardiola could be a little bit disappointed with him (Southgate),” Toure told Sky Sports News.
“Raheem is still young and learning. If my player acted like that, being angry and showing himself like this, I would be very happy.”
“This means he wants to win and achieve – that is important. A player without this character, for me, is nonsense.”
“I think people are overreacting because in training this can happen. In the game they were face to face and then straight to the international team.”
“The manager does not have to be involved. It’s not good for the player’s mentality. Raheem is one of the best players in England at the moment.”
He added: “For him to be in this kind of situation – with all the pressure around him and on his shoulders, he has to deal with racism, plus the fact he was playing at Anfield where the fans are booing him – it can affect him.”
