In a shock decision, the “Liverpool Echo” and other outlets are reporting that Mamadou Sakho elected not to request UEFA to test the B sample provided after last month’s Europa League fixture against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Last week, Liverpool learned that their central defender had tested positive for a banned substance, believed to be a “fat burner” after the March 16 tie. Sakho had until Tuesday to reply to the failed test by requesting of a second test and offering an explanation to the governing body.
Currently, the investigation is ongoing and, if the Frenchman has made a “mitigating factors” plea a doping charge will likely come down.
Apart from an initial statement and removing the player from selection, Liverpool has refused to comment on the matter any further but apparently have asked for a personal hearing with UEFA to offer the mitigating evidence. The Reds refused to make any further comments until the issue has been resolved.
The player has already been made unavailable for selection by the club during this process and will not travel to Spain with the club for the first Europa League semi-final leg against Villarreal.
A potential two year ban hangs in the balance, although it is likely that that any penalty would be reduced given his willingness to accept initial failed test and subsequent charge. A ban of six months is a more likely outcome, based on previous precedent.
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