• Defender failed a drug test following Europa League game on 17 March • Sakho’s lawyers argue fat burning substance should not be prohibited

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Mamadou Sakho is expected to discover within the next three weeks whether he must serve a suspension for contravening Uefa’s drugs rules.

The Liverpool defender’s career has been on hold since it was announced he failed a drug test following the Europa League tie at Manchester United on 17 March. The 26-year-old was initially taken out of the Liverpool side by the manager, Jürgen Klopp, and then provisionally suspended by Uefa for 30 days.

Sakho missed the final eight games of Liverpool’s season, including the Europa League final defeat by Sevilla, plus selection for France’s squad at the European Championship as a consequence.

After opting not to have his B sample examined, Sakho’s lawyers have argued the fat-burning substance that resulted in the failed drug test should not be on Uefa’s prohibited list. European football’s governing body have been conducting their own investigation into whether that should be the case and have set a provisional date of early July for the disciplinary hearing.

Liverpool are due to start pre-season training on 2 July.