Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho suspended for 30 days following doping revelations

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has today, Thursday, been slammed with a provisional 30-day footballing ban after he decided not to have his B sample tested in relation to the doping violation. The ban which takes effect immediately will see him miss the Europa League final should Jurgen Klopp's side see off Villarreal to make it that far.

European football governing body, UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against the Frenchman. Although this is coming just a few hours before the Reds semi-final first leg first leg in Spain, it shouldn't destabilize the team as it was since expected since the news broke.

Sakho tested positive for what was believed to be a fat burner after his club's Europa League 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on March 17.

Sakho went on to make two further appearances in the competition (quarter-finals against Borussia Dortmund) and he even made a decisive decision in the outcome, scoring a goal in the second leg as Liverpool won 5-4 on aggregate.

While the provisionally 30-day ban is on, a final decision is yet to be taken by UEFA control, ethics and disciplinary body. The date of the disciplinary hearing will be announced at a later stage.

This ban effectively ends his season pre-maturely. He faces up to a ban of between six months and two years from football.