WADA apologizes to Sakho for false accusations of doping

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has apologized Crystal Palace footballer Mamadou Sakho for accusing him of consuming prohibited substances to improve his performance in 2016, once the investigation has confirmed that the former Liverpool player did not use doping.

The French defender was suspended in 2016 after testing positive for a 'fat burning' substance called 'higenamine', but was authorized by UEFA when it was discovered that said substance was not on the list of prohibitions published by the AMA and it could not be considered doping.

WADA's lawyer, Guy Vassall-Adams, regretted what happened and assured that “Sakho did not violate UEFA anti-doping rules, did not cheat, had no intention of gaining any advantage and acted in good faith. “” WADA regrets the damage that the libelous accusations caused to Sakho's reputation and the anguish, pain and shame they caused him“He added in statements to the BBC.

For its part, Sakho explained that he felt “vindicated” and that he could now “turn this page”. The 30-year-old missed the Europa League final with Liverpool in 2016 and blamed the failure for costing him a place in the France team for the European Championship that summer.

“There is nothing worse for an athlete than the suspicion of doping. I have lived it with all the consequences it has had for my career, my image and even my personal life. Receive the official apology from WADA It is essential to be able to turn this page, to keep moving forward and above all, to pass on my experience, “added Sakho, who left Liverpool in January 2017 to join Palace.