I've always refused alcohol, says Toure after accepting drink-driving charge
LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure admitted on Tuesday to being over the legal limit following a drink-driving conviction but had no explanation for the reading after saying he does not consume alcohol because of his religious beliefs.
Toure was arrested in London on Nov. 28 and was given an 18-month ban and an income-related fine of 54,000 pounds ($68,600) at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Monday.
The 33-year-old Ivorian issued a statement on his personal website saying he had not intentionally drunk alcohol but shed no light on how he gave an illegal reading.
"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," Toure said, adding that he decided not to challenge the charge because he was above the allowed limit.
"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 said.
"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 has had a troubled year at City after a fallout with coach Pep Guardiola left him on the sidelines for three months.
He returned to the first team on Nov. 19, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace, and played in a 2-1 victory at Burnley two days before his arrest.
($1 = 0.7873 pounds)
(Reporting by Mitch Phillips, Editing by Ed Osmond)