In light of recent events at Liverpool, which saw French center-back Mamadou Sakho get banned after reports of him failing a drug test emerged, Kop legend Jamie Carragher has expressed his anger and disappointment towards Sakho for letting himself and the club down.
According to Sky Sports (via CaughtOffside), Carragher stated that it was a nightmare situation for the player, saying “I think he’s let himself and the club down badly, because he’s become a really important player.”
“There’s serious questions to be asked of him,” Carragher said, also saying that this sort of thing was unacceptable in any sport, not just for footballers.
Sakho is under investigation by Liverpool and UEFA for allegedly taking an illegal ‘fat burner’. Sakho was not officially suspended by the club, but it is certainly going to take a while before he makes a comeback on the pitch.
The Liverpool legend expressed his disappointment in the number of failed drug tests in football, saying that it’s not something one would expect from the game, even though drug violations is more common in other sports.
Random drug tests do take place in football, but the former Liverpool vice-captain insisted that it’s something that ought to happen more than it does. He said: “How much is enough, or too much? As a player it would happen two or three times a season. People might say that’s not enough.” (via Metro)
Sakho’s season ahead
Sakho has become one of Liverpool’s star players this season, enjoying something of a resurgence under Jurgen Klopp. Most recently it involved him scoring 2 goals in three games against Borussia Dortmund and in the Merseyside derby. Since the news of his failed drug tests has come out, Sakho has been banned and will not feature in any match squad until the issue is sorted.
Concerns have been raised and the issue has been brought up again in light of this event. Earlier in the season, top Premier League players were accused of having taken performance enhancing drugs, all of which has since been denied. While Sakho is most likely set to miss Liverpool’s Europa League semi finals, concerns will be raised over how this issue will affect the player’s possible participation in his country’s Euro 2016. With this year being touted as France’s best chance at winning the trophy in a while, Sakho’s possible absence along with Benzema’s confirmed absence will not be encouraging for the fans.
