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UEFA opts against extending Sakho's provisional doping ban, but case not yet dropped

Mamadou Sakho's provisional ban for an anti-doping violation will not be extended, but Omnisport understands that UEFA's case against the Liverpool defender has not yet been dropped. 

Sakho was handed a 30-day suspension by European football's governing body on April 28 after it emerged that he had failed a drugs test following his club's Europa League clash with Manchester United in March.

The initial ban, which was subsequently extended by FIFA to include matches around the world, cost Sakho a place in France's Euro 2016 squad, as well as the chance to play in Liverpool's final eight games of the season, which included the Europa League semi-finals and final.

UEFA has since carried out an investigation, and a report in L'Equipe on Saturday stated that the body had opted against extending the 26-year-old's provisional suspension and would absolve him of any wrongdoing in due course.

However, Omnisport understands that while UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body will not extend the 30-day ban - meaning Sakho is free to resume playing on May 29 - the case against him has not been dropped, with a final decision expected to be made in the coming days.