MAMADOU SAKHO HAS accepted Uefa’s finding of a banned substance in the ‘A’ sample he submitted after Liverpool’s 1-1 Europa League draw with Manchester United on 17 March.
A fat-burner is understood to have triggered the positive result, and the 26-year-old informed the governing body of his decision on Tuesday, when he also provided explanations for the presence of the prohibited product.
Liverpool will not comment on the matter as it is a process between the player and Uefa, and will only offer a position once the undertaking is resolved.
Sakho’s case will be dealt with by Uefa’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body and his mitigation will be taken into consideration during the investigation.
Due to the strict liability stance which underpins the doping policy, the France international will have to satisfactorily explain how a prohibited substance was found in his sample. The burden of proof is solely his.
A hearing will be set and Sakho faces an anxious wait to discover the punishment he will face. In the meantime, per a joint-decision between the defender and the club, he will remain unavailable for selection during the process.
Team-mate Kolo Toure escaped the minimum two-year sentence for a first-time offence while at Manchester City in 2011 when he took diet pills that contravened the rules. The Ivorian was dealt a six-month ban instead, with an independent regulatory commission stating: “The player accepted he was at fault and with that concession we agree.
“He was at fault in the limited and perfunctory efforts he made in relation to the water tablets; the checks he made in relation to those tablets were inadequate and fell some way below what it would be reasonable to expect of a professional footballer in these circumstances.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Whenever I hear the Russian national anthem I half expect to see Rocky start fighting Ivan Drago.
Call of duty waw anyone ?
Lads we only have to win our next five matches and we are euro champs ole ole ole lol
Come on Polska
Good reliable Russians. Violence and drunkiness
Polish equaliser in Warsaw town market … these are the moments we are living for
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdR67Kzxba4
All fingers crossed for Ireland against Spain, you can make it, never lose hope !!
There was defo an edge to this game but great goal and great comeback by Poland.
Russia are really a team to watch for such a pace in their attack
Well done Russia! Thank you for a good game. Fare play to true Russian Fans with the massive banner! Well done guys!