Liverpool centre-back Mamadou Sakho will find out about his potential drugs ban by the start of July, it has been revealed.
The Frenchman failed a drugs test after the 1-1 draw with Man United at Old Trafford on 17th March, and he chose against his B sample being tested, having admitted to taking a fat burning substance.
Having initially been suspended by Liverpool, Sakho was then initially suspended by UEFA for 30 days.
Although that ban ended in late May and UEFA opted not to extend it, he could still face action once UEFA have concluded a review into whether the substance should be on their banned list or not.
The 26-year-old was not included in France’s Euro 2016 squad and he has been awaiting further news ever since.
His lawyers have argued that the fat burner was not on UEFA’s list of banned substances, and European football’s governing body have been holding private investigations surrounding these claims.
It is now reported that Sakho will learn his fate over the next two to three weeks, with Liverpool’s squad returning for pre-season on 2nd July.
It is a decision that will have a huge bearing on both Sakho’s future as a footballer, and the Reds’ summer spending.
Jurgen Klopp is reportedly waiting on a verdict regarding the Frenchman, before deciding if he needs to bring in further reinforcements at centre-back.
Joel Matip has already been acquired from Schalke, but with Sakho’s future unknown and Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure leaving, a long-term ban would leave Liverpool looking light in the centre of defence.
Sakho missed Liverpool’s last eight games of 2015/16, and prior to his failed drugs test, he had been one of the Reds’ most in-form players.
He missed the Europa League final defeat to Sevilla, where his presence was sorely missed.
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