Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho cleared of doping by UEFA

MAMADOU SAKHO has been cleared by UEFA over a doping violation.

By Jonathan Green and Chris McKenna

CLEARED: Mamadou Sakho is free to resume his career

The Liverpool defender was found to have failed a drugs test following the Reds' Europa League clash with Manchester United in March and was initially suspended for 30 days.

The substance was believed to be a fat burning product, but Sakho's legal team argued at a hearing on Thursday that it should not have been on the banned list.

The 26-year-old missed the Europa League final in May and was left out of France's Euro 2016 squad but he has now been cleared to resume his career.

Sakho is now set to explore whether he has grounds to take legal action against UEFA.

The Frenchman welcomed the verdict and insisted he knew he had done nothing wrong.

He said: "I am happy that this is finally over.

“It’s been a difficult time for me but I knew I had done nothing wrong. I am looking forward to getting back in the team and playing again.”

A UEFA statement read: "The independent UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) met in Paris and has reached a decision relating to the proceedings instigated against Liverpool FC player Mamadou Sakho, following the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second-leg match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC (1-1), played on 17 March 2016.

"The proceedings against Mr. Sakho related to a violation of the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations after the player failed a doping test at the above-mentioned match.

"Following a hearing with the lawyers of the player and experts of the WADA-accredited laboratories on this case, the CEDB has decided to dismiss the case."

His legal team, headed by Mike Morgan of Morgan Sports Law, will see if they can take further action due to the disruption to his career and the distress caused by the allegations, the Daily Express report.

A Liverpool statement read: “Liverpool Football Club welcomes today’s decision from UEFA to dismiss the case against Mamadou Sakho, confirming that he did not commit any doping violation.

“We are pleased for Mamadou that he can now resume his playing career.”