Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho is suing the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for £13million, claiming an unfounded ban he received in 2016 scuppered his career.
The Frenchman received a one-month ban in April of that year after testing positive for fat-burning substance higenamine. However, he was cleared of any further punishment by UEFA after it was found that the substance in question was not actually banned.
He would miss Liverpool's Europa League final against Sevilla while the investigation was ongoing, and he also believes it cost him the chance to represent France on home soil at Euro 2016.
Sakho claims the controversy all but ended his Liverpool career, and ultimately lowered his potential career earnings. This is the reasoning behind his lawsuit.
WADA dispute the claim, saying his time at Liverpool ended due to 'disciplinary issues' and his poor relationship with Jurgen Klopp.
Stuart Ritchie QC, who is representing the footballer, told the high court yesterday:
Although [Crystal Palace] is a distinguished club, it does not have the worldwide reputation of Liverpool with the value this brings to a player.
Only recently has he been re-selected to play for the French national team...
The player tested positive for the substance in March 2016, but he was ultimately cleared as higenamine was not specifically named on the WADA banned substances list. However, they remain adamant that it was one of the 'generic' substances banned.
WADA also believe they cannot be sued, as UEFA the prosecuting body in the case.
A trial will take place to decide if WADA was negligent before any compensation claim can addressed.
