Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure has been found guilty for drink-driving.
This stems from his driving offence in Dagenham, east London on his way from a party where he thought he was drinking cola from a jug, but unknown to him, the drink was mixed with brandy.
‘I have always refused alcohol. Anyone who knows me or follows football will have seen me refuse champagne for Man of the Match performances because of my commitment to my religion,’ the 2014 African footballer of the Year said.
He added: ‘The matter has now been resolved in court on Monday. As I was above the permitted limit when tested on the night, I decided not to challenge the charge. However, it was important to me that I told the court that I had not intentionally consumed alcohol. The judge in his sentencing remarks accepted that I had not been intentionally drinking.’
Toure has been banned from driving for 18 months and fined of £54,000 by the judge at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty.
Barkingside Magistrates said Toure had an alcohol analysis of 75 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, more than twice England’s legal limit of 35 micrograms.
‘It appears to me that whilst you may not have knowingly consumed alcohol it should have been clear to you that you were in fact drinking alcohol at some point before you took the decision to drive,’ District Judge Gary Lucie said.
‘The reading is a high one and it is inconceivable that you were unaware of having consumed alcohol,’ Lucie added.
The 33-year-old stated he is a devout Muslim and does not drink. He also rejects champagne for Man of the Match performances.
‘Drink driving is a serious crime and even though I was not intentionally consuming alcohol I accept the ban and fine and I would like to apologise for this situation,’ Toure added.
The four-time African Footballer of the Year joined Manchester City from Barcelona for £24m in 2010 and became one of the club’s most influential players.
However, he has made just five appearances under Pep Guardiola this season following a spat between the manager and Toure’s agent which has now been resolved.
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