Liverpool: Mamadou Sakho is facing a lengthy suspension from the game after the Liverpool defender decided not to challenge the results of his failed drugs test.
The France international has accepted the findings of a drugs test taken after the Europa League tie at Manchester United on 17 March, which is understood to have revealed evidence of a fat-burning substance, and did not request that a B sample was examined before the UEFA deadline on Tuesday. He will present mitigating evidence.
Liverpool have refused to comment on the defender’s decision, insisting it is a private matter at this stage, and Sakho will remain unavailable for selection while UEFA’s investigation continues.
Jürgen Klopp’s squad travelled to Spain yesterday for their Europa League semi-final first leg against Villarreal today and the £19mn centre-half was not in the travelling party. Sakho’s acceptance of the A sample’s findings may hasten the disciplinary process, meaning his suspension from the game will start earlier than had he challenged the results.
His team-mate Kolo Touré was handed a six-month ban by the Football Association for failing a drugs test in 2011 as a result of taking his wife’s diet pills. A similar punishment would cost Sakho his place at the European Championship to be held this summer in France.
