This is what we know for a fact:
1. Kolo Toure was found guilty of using a banned substance.
2. He was subsequently banned by the English FA for 6-months, beginning in March and has thus completed his punishment.
3. His ban was limited to six months where the FA could've banned him for up to two years, having recognized the infraction to be the product of a genuine mistake, and was neither a performance enhancing drug or an attempt by him to mask drug use.
4. What is more, he had excellent character references from his previous club Arsenal, including Arsene Wenger (Link).
5. According to a report in the Daily Star, the suspicion is that the club's action is motivated by fear of a backlash from Carloz Tevez's camp.
6. Indeed no less a person as PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor has expresses suprise at City's decision to hold a hearing on this issue:
“We presented the fact that the FA could have given him two years but only gave him six months because they took into account that it was a genuine mistake and not performance-enhancing or a diuretic to mask drug-taking.
“He also had excellent character references from Arsenal and a number of other players.
“It just seems strange that after being welcomed back to the club, reinstated as captain for Carling Cup matches, that someone has come up with this hearing.
“Instead of sending out a message that this is someone who has made a mistake and served his punishment already, they are now taking action against him again (Link).
“He also had excellent character references from Arsenal and a number of other players.
“It just seems strange that after being welcomed back to the club, reinstated as captain for Carling Cup matches, that someone has come up with this hearing.
“Instead of sending out a message that this is someone who has made a mistake and served his punishment already, they are now taking action against him again (Link).
7. It seems truly strange that having stood by Kolo Toure to the extent of fully honoring his contract during his suspension that Manchester City would now turn round to slap the player with a disciplinary hearing with the possibility of a hefty fine or loss of image rights. Such an under-handed action is especially odious given the fact the PFA is powerless to intervene as the case involves a failed drugs test.
8. So I ask again: 'why is Manchester City trying Kolo Toure?
9. Form is temporary, class is permanent...
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