UEFA suspend Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho

UEFA have suspended Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho for 30 days following his doping violation.

The French international tested positive for a banned substance following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the Europa League on March 17.

The exact nature of the drug has still not been confirmed, but it is understood that the centre-back took a banned fat burner in order to drop some weight.

On Wednesday, it was reported that Sakho had turned down the chance to challenge the positive drugs test and there had been suggestions that he could face a suspension ranging from anywhere between six and 12 months.

As of Thursday afternoon, the 26-year-old has been handed a 30-game suspension and will therefore miss the remainder of the 2015-16 campaign, including Liverpool’s Europa League semi-final against Villarreal.

UEFA will fully investigate the violation before handing out any further punishment.