Mamadou Sakho anti-doping claims dismissed by UEFA

Mamadou Sakho of Liverpool in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on October 31, 2015 in London, England.
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Mamadou Sakho is cleared of breaching anti-doping rules by UEFA and is now free to resume playing for Liverpool.

Proceedings against Liverpool and France defender Mamadou Sakho relating to a doping violation have been dismissed.

The 26-year-old was forced to sit out the final months of the Reds' campaign, culminating in a Europa League final defeat to Sevilla, while also missing out on contention for a place in Les Bleus' Euro 2016 squad.

Sakho tested positive for a fat-burning substance that was on UEFA's banned list, which initially saw him handed a 30-day ban before the European governing body conducted a further investigation.

It had been argued by the Frenchman's lawyers that the substance should not have been placed on the banned list, however, paving the way for a hearing to be held in front of the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body in Paris on Thursday afternoon.

A UEFA statement read: "The independent UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) met in Paris and has reached a decision relating to the proceedings instigated against Liverpool FC player Mamadou Sakho, following the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second-leg match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC (1-1), played on 17 March 2016.

"The proceedings against Mr. Sakho related to a violation of the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations after the player failed a doping test at the above-mentioned match.

"Following a hearing with the lawyers of the player and experts of the WADA-accredited laboratories on this case, the CEDB has decided to dismiss the case."

Sakho, who faced a lengthy ban had he been deemed to have breached UEFA's doping rules, is now free to resume playing for club and country.

Mamadou Sakho looks terrified as he is congratulated by Dejan Lovren during the Premier League game between Liverpool and Everton on April 20, 2016
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