Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure admitted on Tuesday to being over the legal limit following a drink-driving conviction.
According to him, he had no explanation for the reading after saying he does not consume alcohol because of his religious beliefs.
Toure was arrested in London on November 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.
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.”