French publication L’Equipe state that Mamadou Sakho will learn the length of his ban from football this week.
The centre-back was provisionally banned for 30 days at the end of the season just gone, after he decided not to request a B-Sample having tested positive by UEFA for a banned substance.
It’s thought Sakho had been consuming a fat burner to help alleviate the weight problems which saw him dropped from the match-day squad by Brendan Rodgers at the start of the campaign.
That 30-day suspension ends on Saturday, when UEFA will have to reveal Sakho’s punishment. The 26-year-old could be banned from football worldwide for anything between six months and two years. If it’s anything close to the latter, expect Liverpool to sack the defender and sign a replacement, but if it’s just six months – he’ll be available in October – meaning most of his ban could thankfully be served outside of our season.
The positive test has meant Sakho cannot represent France at this summer’s Euros, held in his homeland, which must have been a devastating blow for the likeable defender.
We really hope he gets six months and stays at Anfield. He’s a fan favourite and we back him to learn from his mistake and come back stronger than ever.