April 28 – France and Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has been suspended for 30 days by UEFA after it opened disciplinary proceedings against him following a failed drugs test, ruling him out of the rest of the season.
The suspension is provisional until a final decision is taken by UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body but it seems almost certain that Sakho will also be forced to miss this summer’s European Championships in his homeland.
Sakho, 26, tested positive for what is thought to be a type of fat burner after the Europa League win against Manchester United on 17 March. European football’s governing body added he “did not request the analysis of the B sample”.
The defender and his club had already agreed he would remain unavailable while a UEFA investigation was carried out, ruling him out of today’s Europa League semifinal first leg against Villarreal.
A cult figure this season for Liverpool after finally fulfilling his £18 million price tag from Paris Saint-Germain in 2013, Sakho scored in the thrilling Europa League quarterfinal win over Borussia Dortmund and again in the recent 4-0 thrashing of local rivals Everton. Technically he could be barred for up to two years but is more likely to get a maximum six month ban.
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