Liverpool defender gets initial ban after doping scandal
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has been suspended by UEFA for 30 days after they opened disciplinary proceedings following his doping violations.
The 30-day ban won’t be the full extent of his suspension, but just the start, after the 26-year-old tested positive for a fat burner after the game at Manchester United on March 17th.
The news of the violation broke several hours before Liverpool’s game with Newcastle on Saturday, and Sakho was kept out of the squad for that match by the club’s own decision.
UEFA have now banned Sakho for an intial 30 days as he chose not have a sample B tested before the Tuesday deadline.
A statement from European football’s governing body read: “Disciplinary proceedings have been instigated against Liverpool FC player Mamadou Sakho, following the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second-leg match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC (1-1), played on March 17.
“The proceedings relate to a violation of the UEFA anti-doping regulations, after the player failed a doping test at the above-mentioned match.
“The player did not request the analysis of the B sample. UEFA has now suspended the player provisionally for 30 days until a final decision is taken by the UEFA control, ethics and disciplinary body.
“The date of the disciplinary hearing will be announced at a later stage.”
Sakho’s Liverpool team-mate Kolo Toure, who replaced him in the side for the 2-2 draw with Newcastle, was banned for six months in 2011 while at Manchester City after the FA found him guilty of taking slimming tablets.
A similar ban for Sakho – if he is found guilty at the disciplinary hearing – would rule him out of Euro 2016 in France this summer.
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
