Mamadou Sakho has been temporarily removed from Liverpool first-team action whilst UEFA investigate a potential doping violation.
Reports from the France international’s homeland claimed that Sakho, who has made 35 appearances for the Reds this season, had been suspended by the club following the allegations.
However Liverpool have since attempted to clarify the situation surrounding the defender, who is set to respond to European football’s governing body over the incident.
“Yesterday we received a communication from UEFA, stating that they are investigating a possible anti-doping rule violation by Mamadou Sakho,” read a club statement.
.”The player is not subject to a playing suspension. However, the club, in consultation with the player has decided that while the process is followed he will not be available for selection.
Sakho had already been removed from today’s match day squad to face Newcastle at Anfield, and is now set to miss next Thursday’s Europa League semi-final trip to Villarreal.
Although it has not be official confirmed, the investigation is reported to be connected with the discovery of a ‘fat burner’ in a urine sample, submitted by Sakho after Liverpool’s Europa League match at Manchester United on March 17.
A second test of the sample will now be performed by UEFA, and Sakho has until Tuesday to respond to the test results.
Liverpool team mate Kolo Toure tested positive to a banned substance contained in diet pills in 2011 whilst playing for Manchester City.