Mamadou Sakho has won the fight to prove he is not a drugs cheat after UEFA accepted he did not have a case to answer.
The long running saga was resolved in a Paris hotel on Friday when Sakho’s lawyers argued he had not contravened their anti-doping laws.
Sakho served a 30-day suspension in May, which ruled him out of the Europa League final as well as Euro 2016, and he was faced with the prospect of another considerable ban of anything between six months and two years. The 26-year-old will now consider taking legal action against UEFA.
Now, though, he can resume his career and he greeted the news with delight.
Sakho said: ‘I am happy that this is finally over. It’s been a difficult time for me but I knew I had done nothing wrong. I am looking forward to getting back in the team and playing again.'
But in a statement released on Friday, after they had time to reflect on the findings of the hearing, UEFA acknowledged Sakho had not violated any rules and he was now free to continue his career.
UEFA said: ‘The independent UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) met in Paris and has reached a decision relating to the proceedings 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 2016.
'The proceedings against Mr Sakho related to a violation of the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations after the player failed a doping test at the above-mentioned match.
'Following a hearing with the lawyers of the player and experts of the WADA-accredited laboratories on this case, the CEDB has decided to dismiss the case.'
Traces of fat burner were found in his sample following the last 16 game at Old Trafford and Sakho accepted the consequences after he never asked for his B sample to be tested.
Liverpool discovered the news on April 22 and never selected him for their game against Newcastle the following day. Shortly after UEFA hit him their initial punishment, which ultimately cost him his place at Euro 2016.
UEFA spent the intervening time conducting their own private study to ascertain whether the fat burner contains a banned substance.
Liverpool said in a statement: ‘Liverpool Football Club welcomes today’s decision from UEFA to dismiss the case against Mamadou Sakho, confirming that he did not commit any doping violation. We are pleased for Mamadou that he can now resume his playing career.'
Sakho served a 30-day suspension in May, which ruled him out of the Europa League final as well as Euro 2016, and he was faced with the prospect of another considerable ban of anything between six months and two years. The 26-year-old will now consider taking legal action against UEFA.
Now, though, he can resume his career and he greeted the news with delight.
Sakho said: ‘I am happy that this is finally over. It’s been a difficult time for me but I knew I had done nothing wrong. I am looking forward to getting back in the team and playing again.'
But in a statement released on Friday, after they had time to reflect on the findings of the hearing, UEFA acknowledged Sakho had not violated any rules and he was now free to continue his career.
UEFA said: ‘The independent UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) met in Paris and has reached a decision relating to the proceedings 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 2016.
'The proceedings against Mr Sakho related to a violation of the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations after the player failed a doping test at the above-mentioned match.
'Following a hearing with the lawyers of the player and experts of the WADA-accredited laboratories on this case, the CEDB has decided to dismiss the case.'
Traces of fat burner were found in his sample following the last 16 game at Old Trafford and Sakho accepted the consequences after he never asked for his B sample to be tested.
Liverpool discovered the news on April 22 and never selected him for their game against Newcastle the following day. Shortly after UEFA hit him their initial punishment, which ultimately cost him his place at Euro 2016.
UEFA spent the intervening time conducting their own private study to ascertain whether the fat burner contains a banned substance.
Liverpool said in a statement: ‘Liverpool Football Club welcomes today’s decision from UEFA to dismiss the case against Mamadou Sakho, confirming that he did not commit any doping violation. We are pleased for Mamadou that he can now resume his playing career.'
No comments:
Post a Comment