There was a time when it was all good for Kolo Toure, the £16 million man. — Reuters pic

The Football Association (FA) informed City that an A-sample provided by the Ivory Coast international had tested positive for a specified substance.

The 29-year-old has been suspended from taking part in all matches pending the outcome of the legal process.

Toure played for Arsenal from 2002-09 before joining City for around £16 million (RM79 million), one of a number of big-name players to move to Eastlands after the club's takeover by billionaire owners from Abu Dhabi.

Toure, who has played more than 80 times for his country, was made captain by former coach Mark Hughes but lost the armband this season after the arrival of manager Roberto Mancini.

His younger brother Yaya joined City from Barcelona last year.

City are third in the standings, 10 points behind leaders Manchester United but on course to qualify for next season's Champions League. — Reuters

Sir Alex has until Tuesday to mull things over. — Reuters pic

"The charge relates to comments made about match official Martin Atkinson in post-match interviews following Manchester United's fixture with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge Tuesday," the FA said on its website (http://www.thefa.com).

Ferguson criticised Atkinson after Chelsea came from behind to win the game with a Frank Lampard penalty awarded after Chris Smalling was ruled to have tripped Yuri Zhirkov.

Ferguson was also angry that Chelsea's Brazilian defender David Luiz, who volleyed the equaliser, escaped a red card after a second-half challenge on Wayne Rooney.

"It was a major game for both clubs and you want a fair referee," Ferguson said in an interview after the game. "You want a strong referee anyway and we didn't get that.

"I don't know why he's got the game. I must tell you, I must say that when I saw who was refereeing, I feared the worst."

The defeat, United's second in the Premier League this season, blew the title race wide open, with Ferguson's side still four points above Arsenal, who now have a game in hand.

Ferguson has until Tuesday to respond to the charge. — Reuters