LONDON, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Manchester City defender Kolo Toure was banned for six months on Thursday by the English Football Association for testing positive for a banned substance earlier this season.

The Cote d'Ivore international will be available to play for his club in Septermber since the ban was backdated to March 2, the date of his provisonal suspension.

Toure will also be target-tested for a period of two years, starting on Thursday, following an independent regulatory commission hearing convened at Wembley by the Football Association.
But the panel took into consideration the circumstances behind his use of water tablets belonging to his wife.

"This has been a difficult period for me," Toure said. "I am sad to have missed the team's triumph of securing Champions League football and also the FA Cup victory at Wembley."

"But I am relieved I will be able to return to football in September and thank the FA's commission for their understanding about my case in coming to their decision," he added.

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