Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho’s provisional suspension for an anti-doping violation has now been extended to include all football worldwide.
The France international was given an initial 30-day ban by UEFA last month as an investigation begins into his failed drugs test from early April.
He will not play again for us in the Premier League or Europa League this season, and is now unable to play in any international or domestic friendlies.
A statement released on FIFA.com said: “The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the sanction imposed on 28 April 2016 by the chairman of the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body of UEFA on the French player Mamadou Sakho for an anti-doping rule violation to have worldwide effect in accordance with article 136 ff. of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
“As a consequence, Mr Sakho is provisionally suspended worldwide for 30 days as of 28 April 2016 in accordance with the terms of the decision passed by the chairman of the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body of UEFA. This suspension covers all types of matches, including domestic, international, friendly and official fixtures.
“The decision of the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee was notified today to The Football Association Ltd., the French Football Association and UEFA.”
The Liverpool Echo understands that the prohibited substance in question is a fat burner which Sakho was not aware contained something on WADA’s banned list.
Sakho opted not to provide a B sample or contest the charge, and and will instead plead mitigation in an effort to avoid a lengthy suspension, according to the Echo.
This does not yet officially rule the centre-back out of Euro 2016, but he faces a longer ban and France are unlikely to select Sakho while disciplinary proceedings are ongoing.
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