Mamadou Sakho has finally spoken out about his doping allegations, with UEFA officially dropping the case this evening.
The player had been silent since voluntarily taking a 30-day ban towards the end of last season when news of the positive test first broke.
The Frenchman missed the end of our season, which included the Europa League Final, and Euro 2016 with the home nation. France are now in the final, and he would have been a starter.
Here’s what the club, and Sakho had to say:
Liverpool Football Club welcomes today’s decision from UEFA to dismiss the case against Mamadou Sakho, confirming that he did not commit any doping violation.
We are pleased for Mamadou that he can now resume his playing career.
Mamadou said: “I am happy that this is finally over. It’s been a difficult time for me but I knew I had done nothing wrong. I am looking forward to getting back in the team and playing again.”
We expect in the coming weeks, Sakho will say more, with rumours suggesting he’ll take legal action against UEFA.
He was our best defender last term, and the best months of his career were cruelly taken away from him because of a UEFA blunder.
Liverpool fans will and should be delighted about the news, which breaks on the same day we’ve found out about Jurgen Klopp’s six year contract extension.
All in all, two enormous positives for the club; although the fact Sakho shouldn’t have missed any competitive football at all leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.