WADA Apologizes And Pays Sakho's Loss Of Doping Penalty Mistakes

Mamadou Sakho (Instagram @mamadousakho)

JAKARTA - The World Anti-Doping Agency, WADA, apologized and agreed to pay compensation to French defender Mamadou Sakho for the wrong doping penalty in 2016.

The apology was conveyed by WADA's legal advisers to Sakho in an open hearing on Wednesday, British media reported.

The Crystal Palace defender is still in Liverpool's uniform and is under investigation by UEFA and was given an initial 30-day ban in April 2016 after a doping test tested positive for the fat-burning substance Higenamine.

As a result of the sanctions, Sakho was not allowed to appear in the Europa League final between Liverpool and Sevilla and missed the opportunity to defend the French national team at Euro 2016.

Later, in July 2016, UEFA stopped investigating Sakho's doping case after it was confirmed that Higenamine was not on the WADA list of banned substances at that time.

UEFA also criticized WADA for the unclear status of Higenamine, to which WADA immediately replied.

"WADA admits it should not make this accusation ... considering that Mr. Sakho has been cleared of the case by UEFA," the WADA lawyer said, citing The Athletic report.

The doping case also made Sakho never again given the trust of appearing by manager Juergen Klopp at Liverpool before being loaned out to Crystal Palace and finally being permanent.

"WADA acknowledges that Mr. Sakho has not violated the UEFA Anti-Doping Rules, did not cheat, nor intended to seek profit improperly and applied according to the rules," said the WADA lawyer.

"WADA regrets the impact these allegations have had on Mr Sakho's reputation and the stress, shame and pain it has caused.

"To fulfill this sincere apology, WADA has agreed to pay some compensation to Mr. Sakho. WADA is also ready to bear the costs of Mr. Sakho's case."

Sakho welcomed the outcome of the trial, but with all the results he wanted to move on and continue his career.

"Of course it is not easy when you as a professional athlete are accused of doping. The worst thing you can imagine. I have always believed in my lawyers, who are my squad, my team," he told reporters outside the London court.

"As many people say, the truth sometimes takes time to prove and I am happy that WADA has conveyed an apology. Now that is all over and I just want to move forward," he concluded.