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Paris — Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho was yesterday provisionally suspended for 30 days after failing a drugs test, European football’s governing body Uefa announced.
The France international reportedly tested positive for a fat burner after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United in the Europa League on March 17.
“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 17 March,” Uefa confirmed in a statement.
It added: “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.”
A date for the hearing has yet to be fixed.
Liverpool left Sakho out of their Premier League game against Newcastle last Saturday, clarifying that he will not be selected during his Uefa process.
The 26-year-old centre-back is said not to have known the composition of the weight-loss supplement and has informed the club he acted in good faith.
Sakho moved to Anfield for £18 million in 2013.
His participation at the Euro 2016 finals in France is also in serious doubt, with Didier Deschamps set to announce his 23-man squad on May 12, more than two weeks before Sakho’s provisional ban expires. — AFP.
derick.khumalo