Mamadou Sakho Suspended 30 Days by UEFA, FIFA: Latest Comments, Reaction

Liverpool centre-back Mamadou Sakho has been hit with a 30-day suspension by UEFA as he is investigated for a doping violation.

The news was reported on April 28 by Sky Sports News HQ:

He is now guaranteed to miss the rest of the season for the Reds. On Monday, FIFA expanded the ban worldwide, via BBC Sport, who noted the ban is "provisional until a final decision is taken by UEFA's control, ethics and disciplinary body."

Sakho, 26, tested positive for "what is thought to be a type of fat burner" following Liverpool's Europa League clash with Manchester United on March 17, and he opted not to contest the results of his failed test, per BBC Sport.

While Liverpool had already agreed he would "remain unavailable" during the UEFA investigation, he has now been officially sanctioned.

Sakho is also under threat of missing out on representing France as they host the summer's UEFA Euro 2016 tournament.

Artur Petrosyan of Russian outlet Sport-Express speculated as to how long Sakho could be suspended when the final punishment is meted out:

Per Jack de Menezes of the Independent, the 30-day ban will be removed from any suspension Sakho is eventually given once his case is resolved, and he "is expected to have a UEFA hearing on Friday."

It is understood Sakho will plead "mitigating circumstances," having been unaware the pills he took contained banned substances, per Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph.

However, he is unlikely to be shown much sympathy by UEFA, and with the 30-day suspension now officially in place ahead of a likely much more severe ban, Sakho may well not turn out again in 2016.

His absence at the end of the current campaign—and likely deep into the next—will be a big blow for Liverpool, as he is one of their most reliable central defenders.