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The devout Muslim was the designated driver at a party on November 28.

Barkingside Magistrates' Court heard the midfielder maestro was twice over the limit.

The 33-year-old midfielder pleaded guilty to the charge yesterday but took to Facebook to apologise to fans.

The Ivory Coast international explained that, as a Muslim who does not drink, he has "always refused alcohol" but still decided not to challenge his charge.

It emerged in court how Toure had drunk two brandy and diet colas – what he thought were just diet cola – despite them tasting different.

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

(Image: PA)

District Judge Gary Lucie, sentencing, said: "You say you were at a party and thought you were drinking Diet Coke but you accepted it tasted different to how it usually does.

"In fact you were drinking brandy and coke.

"It appears to me that whilst you may not have knowingly consumed alcohol it should have been clear to you that you were in fact drinking alcohol at some point before you took the decision to drive.

"The reading is a high one and it is inconceivable that you were unaware of having consumed alcohol.

"You were right, in my view, not to pursue any argument with regard to special reasons."

(Image: GETTY)

Touré, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, insisted he believed he had not drunk booze at the party.

He said in a statement on Facebook: "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."

(Image: GETTY)

In 2012, the midfielder maestro refused a bottle of champagne man-of-the-match award because of his religious beliefs.

He had helped his side defeat Newcastle United.

Daily Star Online have contacted Manchester City for comment.