Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has been suspended for 30 days after UEFA today opened disciplinary proceedings following Liverpool's Europa League clash with Man Utd on March 17th.
The French centre back yesterday confirmed to UEFA that he would not challenge the results of the initial test and he had not requested that a B sample be tested. Now that those formalities have been put to one side, UEFA have begun disciplinary proceedings with the initial news being that, while those proceedings are ongoing, Sakho has been suspended for thirty days and will be unable to play again for Liverpool before the end of the season.
It must be pointed out however, that that suspension is essentially provisional and carries little effect as Liverpool have already confirmed that he will not be available for selection while the process is still being carried out.
The date of Sakho's disciplinary hearing will be announced at a later stage and following that, he could still face a suspension of up to four years if it is found that he intentionally doped or up to two years if the infringement is found to be unintentional.
A statement from UEFA today confirmed Sakho's initial suspension.
Disciplinary proceedings have been instigated against Liverpool FC player Mamadou Sakho, following the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second-leg match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC (1-1), played on 17 March.
The proceedings relate to a violation of the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations, after the player failed a doping test at the above-mentioned match.
The player did not request the analysis of the B sample. UEFA has now suspended the player provisionally for 30 days until a final decision is taken by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body.
The date of the disciplinary hearing will be announced at a later stage.
