Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure sorry over drink-driving

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has apologised to fans after admitting drink-driving, but insisted he had “not intentionally consumed alcohol”.

The Ivory Coast international said on Tuesday he had admitted the charge at a Monday court hearing, after being arrested in Dagenham, east London, on November 28.

In a statement released on his website, Toure said he wanted to explain why, as a Muslim who does not drink, he had not contested the charge.

“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,” he said.

He said the matter has now been resolved in court on Monday as he was above the permitted limit when tested on the night, he added he 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 said.

He noted that drink driving is a serious crime and even though he was not intentionally consuming alcohol, he accept the ban and fine and would like to apologise for the situation.

Toure was fined £54,000 and banned from driving for 18 months.

He has agreed to take a drink-driving rehabilitation scheme course.