Liverpool respond to reports Mamadou Sakho has failed a drugs test

This story is only just beginning.

No-one could have seen this coming, but Mamadou Sakho's season at Liverpool looks to be over. Rumours broke this lunchtime that the France international may have failed a drugs test. There were some initial suggestions the player had been suspended by his employers, but now the club has issued a short four-line statement confirming that he is not suspended, but has been voluntarily removed from the first-team squad until the investigation is completed.

"Yesterday, Friday 22nd April 2016, a formal communication was received from UEFA stating that they are investigating a possible anti-doping rule violation by Mamadou Sakho. The player will respond to UEFA on the matter. The player is currently not subject to any playing suspension. However, the club, in consultation with the player, has decided that while this process is followed the player will not be available for selection for matches. "There will be no further comment at this time."

The fact that it is a UEFA investigation rather than a Premier League inquiry would suggest any possible adverse test was discovered while Sakho was on international duty with France, or playing with Liverpool in the Europa League. https://twitter.com/JamesPearceEcho/status/723854382341718016 https://twitter.com/JamesPearceEcho/status/723853305454166017