Former Liverpool star Mamadou Sahko is suing the World Anti-Doping Agency for £13million as he is claiming a decision they made cost him his Anfield career.
The Frenchman was given a suspension from football in 2016 as he tested positive for a fat-burning substance after the Reds’ 3-1 aggregate victory over Manchester United in the Europa League.
He was given a 30-day ban which was eventually cleared, but Sakho missed out on Liverpool’s Europa League final against Sevilla and was snubbed by the French national team for the 2016 EUROS.
The suspension was cleared by UEFA as they found that the substance in question – higenamine – was not actually on the banned list.
London’s High Court has heard that Mama – as he was affectionately referred to by Reds supporters – believes the suspension was the reason he was left out of France’s squad.
The Crystal Palace defender is suing WADA for an eye-watering £13million as he believes they’re to blame for his depreciated worth after moving on from Anfield
The agency has so far not admitted any responsibility for this, citing that the leaving of Liverpool was down to “disciplinary issues” and a “personality clash” – as per the Liverpool Echo.
Sakho’s barrister, Stuart Ritchie QC, believes that WADA are to blame. “Although [Crystal Palace] is a distinguished Premier League club, it does not have the worldwide reputation or brand recognition of Liverpool FC,” he is quoted as saying by the same Echo report.
“With the value which this brings to a player, and his associated image rights. Only recently has he been re-selected to play for the French national team.“