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It was April 22 when Mamadou Sakho’s world was turned upside down. That was the day the Liverpool defender was informed by UEFA that they were investigating a possible anti-doping rule violation .

More than two months on the Frenchman, who hasn’t kicked a ball in anger since, remains in limbo. He’s still none the wiser about the punishment he faces for using a fat burner off the banned list and when he will be able to resume his career.

The provisional 30-day ban - imposed in late April after Sakho declined the opportunity to have his B sample tested and UEFA formally opened disciplinary proceedings against him - expired last month.

That period was supposed to allow the governing body time to compile all the evidence required for a disciplinary hearing to be set. But instead it emerged late last month that the waters had been muddied considerably.

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The submission from Sakho’s representatives questioned whether the substance in the supplement he took should even be on the prohibited list given some apparent scientific evidence on its effects. UEFA responded by ordering their own disciplinary body to investigate whether the substance should be banned.

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The impasse has continued with Sakho’s team growing increasingly frustrated at how long the saga has dragged on. They have been urging UEFA to set a date so that Sakho can finally discover his fate.

The hope is that the hearing will take place early next month but they are still waiting for confirmation. When asked by the ECHO on Thursday, a UEFA spokesman would only guarantee that the hearing would take place in July.

As it stands Sakho is available for duty when he returns to Melwood for the start of pre-season training next week. However, uncertainty still rules and Liverpool face a dilemma over whether to select him in their upcoming friendly matches.

After details about the failed test following the Europa League clash with Manchester United emerged, the club announced that after consultatation with the player the decision had been taken that he wouldn’t be picked by Jurgen Klopp while the process was ongoing.

The question is do the Reds maintain that policy? Or now his provional ban has been served and UEFA are still dragging their heels do they go ahead and play him?

Anfield officials are hoping it won’t come to that. They hope that by the time Liverpool head for Prenton Park to face Tranmere Rovers on July 8 they will no longer be in the dark about Sakho’s availability for the 2016/17 season.

Sakho, who is currently in Africa visiting the charitable projects he supports , has already paid a heavy price.

The £18million defender missed the last eight matches of last season, including May’s Europa League final defeat against Sevilla in Basel. The failed test also cost him his place in the France squad for the European Championship in his homeland.

Aside from the damage Sakho’s absence did to Jurgen Klopp’s men in the latter stages of 2015/16 (they won just two of their eight games without him), planning for the future is also problematic.

Liverpool don’t know where they stand. UEFA could still throw the book at Sakho, leading to him being banned for most if not all of the 2016/17 campaign.

That would lead to the Reds needing to urgently sign a replacement centre-back to compete with Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez for a starting spot.

Alternatively, UEFA might be swayed by the mitigating circumstances cited by Sakho’s representatives. If what he took shouldn’t have been banned in the first place then how can he be punished further?

There is much riding on the outcome. Whatever happens, it’s unacceptable that with the start of pre-season just a week away this episode is still rumbling on.