Mamadou Sakho Reportedly Accepts Failed Drug Test: Latest Details, Reaction

Liverpool centre-back Mamadou Sakho has reportedly opted not to challenge UEFA over his failed drugs test.

Football writer Ben Smith relayed the news on Wednesday following the passing of the Tuesday deadline for Sakho to request his B sample be tested. He indicated the 26-year-old Frenchman could now face a lengthy ban:

The Liverpool Echo's James Pearce confirmed that Sakho accepted the initial test:

Per Pearce, he will plead "mitigating factors" after being found to have tested positive for taking fat-burning supplements that contained banned substances following the Reds' Europa League tie at Manchester United on March 17.

Pearce added that, with Sakho not challenging the failed test, "a doping charge is likely to follow" from UEFA.

Liverpool and Sakho have also reportedly agreed that he "will remain unavailable" during the UEFA investigation, thus he is unlikely to play again for the Reds this season, per BBC Sport.

It could be a big blow for the French national team ahead of them hosting the summer's Euro 2016, per the BBC's John Bennett:

Sakho has been one of Liverpool's more reliable defenders this season, making 21 Premier League appearances and turning out 10 times in the UEFA Europa League as the Reds have advanced to the semi-finals, per WhoScored.com.

Anfield legend Jamie Carragher described the situation as a "nightmare," per Sky Sports News HQ:

Certainly Liverpool will miss Sakho's presence in the squad in their last four Premier League matches, and more notably as they face Villarreal over two legs in an attempt to reach the Europa League final.

Manager Jurgen Klopp has cover to call upon in the shape of Dejan Lovren, Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure, but frustratingly occasional centre-back Emre Can is injured for the remainder of the season.