Manchester City FC midfielder and Ivory Coast football star, Yaya Toure has been banned from driving for 18 months and fined £54,000 for drink-driving. The 33-year-old four-time African player of the Year is a Muslim.

He made this shocking confession on his Facebook page recently: “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,” wrote Toure, who was stopped last month while driving in east London and found to be over the limit.”

“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.”