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Sakho tested positive for a fat burner in March. Adam Davy
LFC

Mamadou Sakho offered Euro 2016 lifeline as Uefa lift provisional suspension

The French defender is free to resume playing from tomorrow.

MAMADOU SAKHO’S PROVISIONAL ban for an anti-doping violation will not be extended, but Uefa’s case against the Liverpool defender has not yet been dropped.

Sakho was handed a 30-day suspension by European football’s governing body on April 28 after it emerged that he had failed a drugs test following his club’s Europa League clash with Manchester United in March.

The initial ban, which was subsequently extended by Fifa to include matches around the world, cost Sakho a place in France’s Euro 2016 squad, as well as the chance to play in Liverpool’s final eight games of the season, which included the Europa League semi-finals and final.

Uefa has since carried out an investigation, and a report in L’Equipe on Saturday stated that the body had opted against extending the 26-year-old’s provisional suspension and would absolve him of any wrongdoing in due course.

“The 30-day provisional suspension ends today,” a Uefa statement read.

“The chairman of the control, ethics and disciplinary body decided not to extend it.

“The player would thus be free to play as from tomorrow. A decision on the case will be made within the next few days.”

Liverpool made Sakho unavailable for selection after the charge while France coach Didier Deschamps did not include him in his 23-man squad or the eight standby players selected for Euro 2016.

Following the withdrawal of defender Jeremy Mathieu earlier today with a calf injury, Deschamps opted to call up uncapped Lyon player Samuel Umtiti.

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