By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
It is often said that in football, a week is a long time and
that is most definitely the case for the Liverpool FC defender Mamadou Sakho.
A week ago, the Frenchman was the cult hero of the Kop after
scoring infront of the famous stand in the Merseyside derby. His header in the
4-0 romp over Everton was his second goal in just over two weeks, having also
netted in the sensational comeback against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Europa
League.
Now, his Liverpool FC career could be over after it emerged he failed a drugs test back in March. UEFA has now launched disciplinary
proceedings against the player after Sakho elected not to contest the result.
So, does he have a future now at Anfield?
A real letdown
 |
| Mamadou Sakho's positive drugs test is a setback for Liverpool FC |
News of the failed test emerged just hours before the Reds’
Premier League match with Newcastle United last Saturday. The club had been
informed a day earlier of the positive result and whilst he wasn’t immediately suspended
by Liverpool FC, it was agreed by Sakho (pictured), manager Jurgen Klopp and owners Fenway
Sports Group that he shouldn’t be considered for selection during this period.
UEFA have now acted and suspended him for a month while they
investigate the case further. It is believed a ‘fat burner’ substance is the
cause of the failed drugs test. A positive A sample was returned after the
second leg of the UEFA Europa League round-of-16 tie with Manchester United on
17 March.
Whilst it isn’t the worst kind of substance to fail a drugs
test for, it doesn’t condone what has happened and as Maria Sharapova has
learned the hard way this year in the tennis world after her positive test at
the Australian Open, all sportstars must be extremely careful of what they are
taking.
Sakho is understood to have been concerned about his weight
ever since the start of the season.
Former manager Brendan Rodgers overlooked
him for early season games after informing the French centre-back that he was
unfit. Despite interest from Italian and German clubs, Sakho signed a new
contract at Liverpool FC last September and has been a regular starter since
Klopp succeeded Rodgers as manager last autumn.
His failed test is a real letdown at a time where Liverpool
FC are into the last four of the UEFA Europa League and still competing for a
top-six finish in the Premier League.
What are the consequences?
Should UEFA decide to take further action against Sakho, it
is all but certain to rule him out of France’s plans for this summer’s European
Championships. French coach Didier Deschamps is sure to be monitoring the
situation closely. Considering that Karim Benzema has already been told he
won’t be selected following the blackmail scandal that has involved him and fellow
footballer Mathieu Valbuena, Deschamps is now unlikely to select Sakho in his
squad for EURO 2016, no matter what the final outcome is.
Ironically, one of Sakho’s club teammates, Kolo Toure
received a six-month ban in 2011 when he tested positive after a game for
Manchester City. Toure had taken some diet pills prescribed to his wife, again
in reference to losing weight. It is a period that the Ivorian even this week
admitted he doesn’t like speaking about. If we’re using this an example, Sakho
can expect to get this as a minimum punishment. UEFA though do have the power
to suspend the player for upto two years.
Jurgen Klopp does have options in defence too. Toure looks
set to sign a contract extension, whilst Joel Matip is already arriving in the
summer from FC Schalke 04. With Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren also providing
fierce competition, Sakho could well be deemed surplus to requirements after
this episode.
It is a huge blow in his football career. Last week, things
were looking good for Mamadou Sakho. By the end of this week, his international
career looks over and his Anfield future looks rather bleak too. There might be
a way back for the player, but it could well be a long journey back.
It is often said that in football, a week is a long time and
that is most definitely the case for Mamadou Sakho.
Comments
Post a Comment