The Frenchman’s drug ban has been lifted.
Mamadou Sakho scores the second goal for Liverpool
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has had a tough few weeks.
He was suspended by UEFA last month after failing a drug test in March. The 26-year-old was initially banned for a provisional 30 days but that ban was not extended this weekend.
Sakho has questioned whether the substance in question belongs on the WADA prohibited substances list and whilst that investigation is under way Sakho has received the all-clear to play again.
Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho, Christian Benteke and Emre Can in the stands
With that in mind he is now available for the France team at Euro 2016.
With Raphael Varane injured it seemed that this might be a possibility but Didier Deschamps has now made it clear he will not be heading to the Euros.
The France head coach has been quoted by the Liverpool Echo as stating:
“Call up Sakho? I have never thought about it. Or I would no longer have any respect for those that I have selected.”
Of course that will come as a huge blow to the player, who would have hoped to play at the Euros after initially believing he would be banned for the tournament on home territory.
As far as Liverpool are concerned though they will be pleased that he looks set to play for the club from the start of next season.
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