Manchester City' Yaya Toure accepts drink driving ban but claims to not have consumed alcohol intentionally

Toure was given an 18-month ban on Monday

Toure had been in exile at City following controversial comments by his agent (Getty)

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has decided against challenging his drink driving charge but claimed the court accepted he had not been intentionally consuming alcohol.

The 33-year-old was given an 18-month driving ban after stopped by police in Dagenham, east London, on November 29 and charged when his alcohol level was found to be above the legal limit.

Toure is a Muslim and does not drink alcohol because of his religion and was one of the main reasons the Premier League man of the match award was changed from a bottle of champagne to a trophy.

The former Ivory Coast captain addressed this confusion in a statement and claimed the judge had accepted his claim that he was accidentally drinking alcohol while sentencing Toure.

“Over the last two weeks there has been some confusion as to why I was charged with drink driving, as it is well known that I am a Muslim and do not drink,” Toure wrote on his Facebook page.

“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 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.

“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. I would also like to thank my family, the management and staff at Manchester City, my legal team and the fans for the support they have given me during this difficult time.”