Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has pleaded guilty to drink-driving, but says he didn’t “intentionally consume alcohol.”
Toure, 33, accepted that he was “above the permitted limit,” and did not challenge the charge. He was fined £54,000 and was banned from driving for 18 months by Barkingside magistrates.
Toure was driving in Dagenham in east London at the time of the offence last month.
Barkingside Magistrates Court said Toure had an alcohol reading of 75 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath – more than twice England’s legal limit of 35 micrograms. If they were in the US, they’d have to start thinking about how to get my license reinstated after a felony dui.
He pleaded guilty to the charge on Monday, but did not say in his Facebook statement how the alcohol got into his system.
“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,” he said.
“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.
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“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.”
