KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum Sakho suspended for illegal drug

We'll see, but it doesn't look good for him. I think the club is handling it the best way they can right now. They don't have to bench him yet, but they are trying to act in good faith until it's sorted out.

Let's look at this in context though. Maradona was banned for 2 years for doping with criminally illegal drugs, but that doesn't seem to cast a shadow on his legacy, anymore than the hand of God does. But this isn't like him using canibis or Lance Armstrong's blood doping, or Rio Ferdinand refusing to take a test he knew he would fail. It isn't an anabolic steroid or even a PED in the traditional sense. This is an over the counter product that's available at just about every Boots in the country. He's an idiot for not checking with the club doctor, but he's not using an illegal drug (in the sense that speed or cocaine or marijuana are illegal).

Furthermore, let's look at Sakho's record and his character as a person. He has a pretty spotless record in terms of public behavior. He spends almost all his free time doing charity work or with his family. If he is guilty, and he very well may be, I would believe that it was an honest mistake, albeit a stupid one. Let him serve his time, and let him play when he gets back.

Kolo was given a lenient ruling during his incident at City because he believed he was acting in good faith, and I would imagine (if guilty), it will be a similarly treated situation, even though it's technically a different product.

Here is a list of drug related bans in English Football for the past 10 years. Most of them seem to be 5-9 months. I don't see why Sakho should be treated any differently.

Jose Baxter (Sheff Utd) 2015 Ecstasy 5 months (FA suspension)
Jake Livermore (Hull) 2015 Cocaine Club suspension (no FA ban due to circumstances of case)
Kolo Toure (Man City) 2011 Specified substance 6 months (Wada suspension)
Paddy Kenny (Sheff Utd) 2009 Ephedrine 9 months (FA)
Abel Xavier (Middlesbrough) 2005 Anabolic steroid 18 months (Uefa suspension)
Adrian Mutu (Chelsea) 2004 Cocaine 7 months (FA)
Mark Bosnich (Chelsea) 2002 Cocaine 9 months (FA)
Lee Bowyer (Charlton) 1995 Cannabis 8 weeks (club suspension

Course they know, and we should be looking at sacking procedures. I don't want him playing for us after 6months that would be a disgrace.

Should Roy Keane have been sacked for intentionally breaking someone's leg? That's cheating. An intentional handball? Biting someone? Kung fu kicking a fan? Fighting? Intentionally injuring another player to incapacitate him for a match (and beyond)?

The punishment should fit the crime, surely? Do we need to re-write the law because suddenly it's one of our players?

What is more of a disgrace is you jumping to conclusions and taking the moral high ground about something you know nothing about except what has been reported in the media!

That said its good to see the majority on here and are on the same page with regards to the player and not all as extreme as you!