Toure fails drugs test

Manchester City have suspended Kolo Toure with immediate effect after the Ivorian defender tested positive to a ‘specified substance’.

The club confirmed on Friday that Toure had failed a Football Association drugs test and would be banned from all football until legal proceedings had run their course.

“Manchester City confirm that the FA has informed Kolo Toure that an ‘A-sample’ provided by him has tested positive for a specified substance,” a club statement read.

“As result of this, he has been suspended from participating in all first team and non-first team matches pending the outcome of the legal process.”

“There will be no further comment from the football club at this stage.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency defines a specified substance as one that is ‘more susceptible to a credible, non-doping explanation’.

Punishment for a positive test can range from a warning to a two-year ban.

The news will come as a further blow to City boss Roberto Mancini, who is already missing the likes of Micah Richards and Vincent Kompany from his defensive stocks due to injury.

City host Wigan Athletic in the English Premier League on Saturday, before travelling to Dynamo Kiev for the first leg of their last-eight Europa League tie the following Thursday.