Premier League
CRYSTAL PALACE’S MAMADOU SAKHO SUES WADA OVER ‘DRUG TEST BLUNDER’
Mamadou Sakho of English Premiership side, Crystal Palace is suing the world anti-doping agency for £13 million claiming a drug-test blunder torpedoed his career at Liverpool.
Sakho, 29, was suspended from football in April 2016 after testing positive for a fat-burning substance following a Europa League tie with Manchester United.
The provisional 30-day suspension meant the France international missed out on Liverpool’s Europa League Final defeat to Sevilla and, he claims, cost him a team place at the Euro 2016 tournament, London’s High Court heard.
He was eventually cleared in disciplinary proceedings before UEFA, with the body finding that the substance – higenamine – was not actually on the banned list.
The Crystal Palace defender is now suing for £13m, with his lawyers arguing that his earnings as a player and the worth of his personal brand have been reduced by his move away from Liverpool.
But the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) denies it is responsible for his transfer from the European Champions which, it says was in reality caused by “disciplinary issues” and a “personality clash” with Jurgen Klopp.
In a hearing at the High Court, Sakho’s lawyers told Master Victoria McCloud that his suspension in 2016 had dealt a massive hit to his earnings.
He missed games with the France team, had to foot lawyers’ and scientists’ bills and, ultimately, saw the end of his career with Liverpool and transfer to Crystal Palace, said his barrister, Stuart Ritchie QC.
“Although this is a distinguished Premier League club, it does not have the worldwide reputation or brand recognition of Liverpool FC with the value which this brings to a player, and his associated image rights,” said the QC.
“Only recently has he been re-selected to play for the French national team,” he added.
The court heard Sakho had tested positive for the substance – which was present in a dietary supplement he had taken – in a urine test in March 2016.
The laboratory wrote to WADA – which maintains the list of substances banned in world sports – and was told that the substance was on its banned list, under the category “all Beta-2 agonists”.
But the list did not specifically name higenamine and Uefa found it was “not proven” that it was on the banned list, clearing and “vindicating” Mr Sakho in July 2016, said his QC.
The UEFA tribunal said there were “significant doubts” whether higenamine is a “B2-Agonist” and said there had been a “clear lack of communication” from Wada about its status.
Alongside MS Top Ltd, the company which owns his image rights, Mr Sakho is now suing for millions in compensation, claiming Wada was negligent in its handling of the case against him.
And he claims the impact on his career was made worse when Wada stood by its claims in “defamatory” emails to journalists in 2016 and 2017, said Mr Ritchie.
“In the statements, Wada alleged Mr Sakho was guilty of taking a prohibited, performance enhancing substance, and that it was not appealing against the decision only because it was uncertain that he would receive a significantly higher sanction than the suspension of one month he had already served….” he said.
He is suing on grounds that the statements were untrue and defamatory.
However, Wada denies it did anything wrong, claiming that higenamine was “one of the generic substances banned”.
The body denies negligence or that it owed Mr Sakho any “duty of care”, and questions the impact of the suspension on the footballer’s career.
“We say the loan and transfer to Crystal Palace in January 2017, and the non-selection for France, are events following the disciplinary proceedings and are not causally related to the claimed act of Wada,” said their barrister Shane Sibbel.
Other disciplinary issues, including events leading to his being sent home from a pre-season tour, also played a part in ending his career at Liverpool, he added.
He had failed to get “express approval” from the club to take the dietary supplement and there was evidence of a “personality clash” with Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, he claimed.
At the end of the hearing, the judge ordered that the trial on liability – whether Wada was negligent – should take place before the issue of the amount of compensation is considered.
The court bill for the case is expected to be well over £1m.
Higenamine derives from plants and is outlawed by Wada due to its alleged stimulant properties.
Mohamed Salah has confirmed he will leave Liverpool FC at the end of the season, bringing to a close one of the most successful and iconic eras in the club’s modern history.
The 33-year-old forward announced his decision in an emotional video shared on social media on Tuesday, expressing gratitude to the club, the city and its supporters.
“Unfortunately, the day has come. This is the first part of my farewell,” Salah said. “I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.
“I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life,” he added. “Liverpool is not just a football club, it’s a passion, it’s a history, it’s a spirit.”
A Legendary Anfield Career
Salah, who joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017, leaves as one of the club’s greatest-ever players.
During his time at Anfield, he helped Liverpool win the Premier League twice, the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, The FA Cup, two League Cups and the Community Shield.
He scored 255 goals in 435 appearances, making him Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer of all time, while also claiming the Premier League Golden Boot on four occasions.
His 2024/25 season stands out as one of the finest individual campaigns in league history, with 29 goals and 18 assists, earning him the Player of the Season award alongside both the Golden Boot and Playmaker honours.
However, Salah’s final campaign has been marked by inconsistency and tension.
He endured a prolonged dip in form, struggling for goals and being left out of several key matches, including fixtures in the UEFA Champions League. His reduced influence on the pitch was compounded by a public disagreement with Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
After being benched for consecutive matches in December, Salah criticised the club, accusing it of “throwing me under the bus” and hinting at a breakdown in his relationship with the coach.
Although Slot later attempted to play down the incident, it highlighted a difficult period for a player who had long been central to Liverpool’s success.
Despite the struggles, Salah has shown flashes of his brilliance, including a stunning goal in Liverpool’s recent 4-0 victory over Galatasaray in the Champions League, marking his 50th goal in Europe’s elite club competition.
Nicknamed the “Egyptian King,” Salah remains deeply adored by Liverpool supporters, with murals of his image and signature celebrations adorning streets around Anfield.
“Leaving is never easy,” Salah said in his farewell. “You gave me the best time of my life. I will always be one of you. This club will always be my home.
“Because of all of you, I will never walk alone.”
Salah’s departure will mark the end of an era at Liverpool—one defined by goals, trophies and a lasting bond between player and supporters.
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Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi underlined his growing importance to Nottingham Forest’s survival push, coming off the bench to score in a crucial 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
In a match loaded with relegation implications, Awoniyi’s late strike capped a disciplined and clinical performance from Forest, who secured their first league win under manager Vitor Pereira and climbed out of immediate danger.
Forest took the lead on the stroke of halftime through Igor Jesus, who headed home from a corner delivered by Neco Williams. Despite Tottenham’s bright start, they failed to convert early dominance into goals, with Richarlison missing their clearest opportunity.
The hosts tightened their grip on the contest in the second half when Morgan Gibbs-White doubled the advantage just after the hour mark, finishing calmly to punish Spurs’ defensive lapses.
Awoniyi then delivered the final blow in the 87th minute, tapping in from close range to seal a comprehensive win and ignite celebrations among the Forest faithful. The goal marked another timely contribution from the Nigerian striker, whose physical presence and composure have proven vital in the club’s fight against relegation.
The result lifts Nottingham Forest to 16th place with 32 points from 31 matches, two points clear of Tottenham, who drop to 17th and remain perilously close to the relegation zone.
For Awoniyi, the goal not only adds to his season tally but also reinforces his reputation as a decisive figure in high-pressure moments. Introduced late in the game, his impact highlighted Forest’s improved attacking depth and ability to finish off opponents—qualities that could prove decisive in the final stretch of the campaign.
Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi scores their third goal REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Tottenham, meanwhile, saw their struggles continue despite recent signs of improvement. Even with Mathys Tel forcing a fine save from goalkeeper Matz Sels, they lacked cutting edge, failing to register a shot on target before conceding.
The defeat leaves Spurs just one point above 18th-placed West Ham United, who also slipped to a 2-0 loss against Aston Villa, deepening the tension at the bottom of the table.
While Forest manager Pereira cautioned that more work lies ahead, Awoniyi’s contribution offered a timely reminder that the club possesses the firepower needed to steer clear of relegation.
With the battle for survival intensifying, Forest will look to build on this momentum—and if Awoniyi continues to deliver at crucial moments, their chances of staying in the Premier League will receive a significant boost.
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Premier League
Manchester United tighten hold on third in the Premier League with win over Aston Villa
Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha buried a second‑half strike off a pinpoint through ball from Bruno Fernandes for a club-record 16th Premier League assist in a season to lift the hosts to a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday.
Casemiro and substitute Benjamin Sesko scored United’s other goals in a result that tightened United’s grip on third place in the standings on 54 points after 30 games, while fourth-placed Villa have 51 points.
United, who were playing their first game in 11 days, were keen for a victory after interim boss Michael Carrick’s seven-game unbeaten run ended in a 2-1 loss to 10-man Newcastle United on March 4.
With 22 points from a possible 27 under Carrick’s leadership, Sunday’s win will invariably lead to more questions about his chances of becoming United’s permanent manager.
“It was a slightly different game today going into it being so close in the league and making the small jump we could if we won, off the back of a defeat,” Carrick said. “It was a small test and we haven’t really had that.
“The boys dealt with it really well, had a really good week and applied themselves well. Everything is so so encouraging. We’ve got a lot to play for.”
The game looked headed for a draw before Cunha scored from the left side of the box in the 71st minute, with Fernandes recording his 100th assist for the club across all competitions.
With eight games left, Fernandes is also four shy of matching the Premier League record for assists in one season of 20 held by Thierry Henry (2002-03) and Kevin de Bruyne (2019-20).
“He’s had so many big moments, to score a goal, to make a pass,” Carrick said of Fernandes. “Training or games, he’s always there. Really good with the corner. The pass to Matheus was fantastic to cap off a good performance all around.”
Sesko put the game out of reach 10 minutes later with a blistering shot from the centre of the box.
Casemiro put United ahead in the 53rd minute with a glancing header from a Fernandes corner.
Ross Barkley levelled in the 64th with a shot from the middle of the area. After a lengthy VAR check to determine whether the ball glanced off an offside Amadou Onana, the goal stood.
A better second half salvaged a decent game after a dreary first 45 minutes plagued by errant passes and slipping players.
United did have some decent first-half chances including a header from Amad Diallo that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez stretched backwards to keep out of the net. Diogo Dalot had a terrific chance inside the box that he launched over the bar.
Leny Yoro’s block spoiled one of Villa’s best chances and led to a long-range shot from Fernandes at the other end that he sent just wide of the post.
Villa have not won a league game since February 11, and an animated manager Unai Emery spent much of the afternoon stomping his feet and waving his arms in frustration.
“How we are progressing after we did fantastic months in October, November, December, the last two months we are struggling,” Emery said. “It’s Manchester United here at home, and they are now in good moment. And of course, they played a very intelligent match.
“I think we can get better. The result at the end was a bad result for us. We must accept it and try to analyse now to get better for the next challenge.”
-Reuters
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