Mamadou Sakho cleared of doping allegations; proceedings dismissed, case closed

Posted by

Brilliant.

Mamadou Sakho has been cleared by UEFA of any wrongdoing regarding the supplement our French defender ‘tested positive’ for in March this year.

The Press Association broke the news earlier this evening, and our centre-back is now completely free to resume his career.

Sakho was in Paris on Thursday to face a UEFA disciplinary hearing, where he could have been suspended for anything up to six months and two years.

A UEFA statement, publicised by the Echo, read: “The independent UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) met in Paris and has reached a decision relating to the proceedings 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 2016.

“The proceedings against Mr. Sakho related to a violation of the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations after the player failed a doping test at the above-mentioned match.

“Following a hearing with the lawyers of the player and experts of the WADA-accredited laboratories on this case, the CEDB has decided to dismiss the case.”

Sakho chose to take a voluntary 30-day suspension when UEFA first reported that he was under investigation for the fat burner he ingested, meaning he missed Liverpool’s Europa League Final and Euro 2016 with France – where he would have been a starter.

Now, he’ll have to watch his countrymen play a final on Sunday in the knowledge that UEFA’s mistake cost him the greatest moment of his professional career.

Whether he chooses to now take legal action or put the matter behind him is yet to be seen, but we’re delighted he’ll be ready to play at the beginning of the campaign. Now we won’t buy a new centre-back, with Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren and Sakho competing for starting roles.

 

More Stories Mamadou Sakho