Mamadou Sakho wrong drug ban
Former Liverpool defender, Mamadou Sakho has received apology and paid damages by WADA over wrong drug ban.
It was wrongly asserted that the Crystal Palace defender had failed a drugs test during his time at Liverpool.
Sakho was suspended after testing positive in March 2016 for fat-burner Higenamine. The said substance at that time was not on WADA’s (World Anti-Doping Agency) list.
He then served a 30-days match ban which made him miss France’s Euro 2016 list as well as Liverpool’s Europa League final.
Sakho’s ban expired in May 2016, at which point Higenamine was found to not be on the banned list.
UEFA dismissed the case in July 2016, before going on to criticise WADA a year later. UEFA blamed WADA for failing to provide clarity over the substance’s status.
WADA has now accepted their mistake after three years. Mamadou Sakho had sued WADA for defamation after the wrong drug ban.
Sakho in a High Court hearing in London on Wednesday, accepted an apology from the agency and an undisclosed sum in damages.
WADA statement reads, “..regrets the damage the defamatory allegations caused to Mr Sakho’s reputation and the distress, hurt and embarrassment caused.
“To indicate the sincerity of this apology, WADA has agreed with its insurers to pay Mr Sakho a substantial sum of damages“
Reacting to the latest development, Sakho thanked his family and friends who were with him during that period.
He also stated that drug-use is the worst thing to be accused of. In his word, “This is the worst thing you can be accused of, doping.Today is a big day for my story.
“I think it is important for athletes to have this kind of example and to be careful about everything they are taking.” he added.
Although Mamadou Sakho has been called once by France since the wrong drug ban, he has been a regular for club.