Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho’s suspension has been extended by FIFA to a worldwide ban, which prevents him from playing football worldwide.
Sakho was last week handed a 30-day ban by UEFA after testing positive for a banned substance following the Reds’ Europa League win over Manchester United in March.
The France international is already set to miss the remainder of Liverpool’s season but world football’s governing body have today extended that provisional period to cover all international football, now ruling him out of any international and friendly fixtures.
“The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the sanction imposed on 28 April 2016 by the chairman of the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body of UEFA on the French player Mamadou Sakho for an anti-doping rule violation to have worldwide effect in accordance with article 136 ff. of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” read a FIFA statement.
“As a consequence, Mr Sakho is provisionally suspended worldwide for 30 days as of 28 April 2016 in accordance with the terms of the decision passed by the chairman of the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body of UEFA.
“This suspension covers all types of matches, including domestic, international, friendly and official fixtures.
“The decision of the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee was notified today to The Football Association Ltd., the French Football Association and UEFA.”
Following last month’s revelation, Liverpool withdrew Sakho from first-team selection pending the outcome of UEFA’s investigation.
The centre-back refused to contest the ruling and could be suspended for between six months and two years.