Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Kolo Toure's failed drugs test is a result of the player taking a "slimming product belonging to his wife".
The Manchester City defender, 29, has been suspended after testing positive for a specified substance.
But Toure's ex-boss Wenger has spoken to the player and said: "He wants to control his weight a little bit because that's where he has some problems.
"He has a clean life, is very honest, is always at home and is a family man."
Toure was informed by the Football Association that he failed a test taken at the Manchester derby last month where he was an unused substitute.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) defines a specified substance as one that is "more susceptible to a credible, non-doping explanation".
The punishment for this offence ranges from a warning to a two-year ban.
After Toure's A sample returned positive, City confirmed in a statement that the player had been suspended "pending the outcome of the legal process".
Toure has until Wednesday, 9 March to decide whether or not he wants a B sample to be tested. If he does and it comes back negative then the case would be closed and Toure regarded as not guilty.
However, if he does not then he will have to submit an explanation and would face a lengthy disciplinary procedure.
BBC sports news correspondent Dan Roan told BBC Radio 5 live: "A specified substance, according to Wada, is one more susceptible to a credible, non-doping explanation because of its general availability in medicines."
Since football signed up to Wada's code, testing has become more stringent and targeted, and ignorance is not regarded as a defence.
The Manchester City defender, 29, has been suspended after testing positive for a specified substance.
But Toure's ex-boss Wenger has spoken to the player and said: "He wants to control his weight a little bit because that's where he has some problems.
"He has a clean life, is very honest, is always at home and is a family man."
Toure was informed by the Football Association that he failed a test taken at the Manchester derby last month where he was an unused substitute.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) defines a specified substance as one that is "more susceptible to a credible, non-doping explanation".
The punishment for this offence ranges from a warning to a two-year ban.
After Toure's A sample returned positive, City confirmed in a statement that the player had been suspended "pending the outcome of the legal process".
Toure has until Wednesday, 9 March to decide whether or not he wants a B sample to be tested. If he does and it comes back negative then the case would be closed and Toure regarded as not guilty.
However, if he does not then he will have to submit an explanation and would face a lengthy disciplinary procedure.
BBC sports news correspondent Dan Roan told BBC Radio 5 live: "A specified substance, according to Wada, is one more susceptible to a credible, non-doping explanation because of its general availability in medicines."
Since football signed up to Wada's code, testing has become more stringent and targeted, and ignorance is not regarded as a defence.
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