Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho set to respond to UEFA over alleged anti-doping violation
Tuesday 26 April 2016 08:29, UK
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho is set to respond on Tuesday to UEFA's investigation into his alleged anti-doping violation.
Sakho sat out Saturday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle after it emerged shortly beforehand that UEFA was investigating an alleged anti-doping violation - understood to be associated with a 'fat-burning' supplement - following the Europa League tie at Manchester United last month.
The France international, who has not been suspended either by Liverpool or UEFA, faces an anxious wait to see whether he will receive a playing ban.
He is likely to ask for his B sample to be tested, with the deadline for that request set for Tuesday.
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender, has hit out at Sakho.
Carragher said: "It's a nightmare for the player. I think he's let himself and his club down badly, because he was becoming a really important player for Liverpool.
"There are serious questions to be asked of him.
"He's had a great campaign. He's one of the leaders of the team now. You think of the Borussia Dortmund game, the Manchester United games especially, how well he played in those. It's now how Liverpool fill that void.
"But for a professional footballer - or any sportsman, really - it's not acceptable."
Sporting Integrity's founding director Michelle Verroken told Sky Sports News HQ that using fat-burners carries "huge risks".
She said: "If you are increasing the heart rate the important thing to know is what you are also going to be doing - if you are exercising at the same time - because you are overloading the heart and that really would not be a good thing if your heart has some congenital problem or you are demanding more of your body without proper hydration, proper food.
"Some of these fat burners even contain a diuretic to take water out of the body and literally make your body appear smaller. And again, if you are trying to dry out the body when you are involved in intense exercise, there are really big risks in terms of cardiovascular problems."
Verroken is not convinced fat-burners improve performance though, and she believes there are alternative means available which are less dangerous.
She said: "It's a difficult question really, because if your intention is to improve your performance, I think there are far better ways of trying to do this.
