'The truth always comes out...' Sakho thanks Liverpool fans for support after UEFA drop doping charge

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has thanked the club's fans for their support after UEFA quashed the doping charge held against the French international. 

Sakho served a 30-day suspension in May after traces of a fat burner were found in a sample drug test he gave after the last 16 Europa League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford. But UEFA confirmed on Friday the product did not contain a banned substance, leaving the 26-year-old free to continue playing at the start of the new Premier League campaign. 

With his name cleared by the authorities, Sakho can now put his disappointment at missing out on both the Europa League final with Liverpool and the Euro 2016 final with France behind him. 

'The truth always comes out in the end,' Sakho wrote on his Instagram page. 

'I can finally express myself and above all it's important for me to thank all of you for your trust and your support that you have been communicating during those two months and a half. You have been there for me #YNWA, I will always be there for you giving all my best on the field.' 

Sakho's ban has seen him miss out on his country's run to the final of Euro 2016 and expressing his support for Didier Deschamps' side ahead of their final with Portugal on Sunday, Sakho added: 'I would like as well to congratulate my mates of the @equipedefrance for their amazing race! You make us dream, we are thrilled for you! Come on France!'

After Sakho's initial test result, the defender faced the prospect of another considerable ban of anything between six months and two years.

But that is now all water under the bridge as far as the defender is concerned, with legal action against UEFA now a possibility.

Confirming the news earlier this week that Sakho was now free to return to action, UEFA said: ‘The independent UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) met in Paris and has reached a decision relating to the proceedings instigated against Liverpool FC player Mamadou Sakho, following the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second-leg match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC (1-1), played on 17 March 2016.

'The proceedings against Mr Sakho related to a violation of the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations after the player failed a doping test at the above-mentioned match.

'Following a hearing with the lawyers of the player and experts of the WADA-accredited laboratories on this case, the CEDB has decided to dismiss the case.'

Liverpool discovered the news of Sakho's failed test on April 22 and left him out of their game with Newcastle the following day. 

Shortly after UEFA hit him with their initial punishment, which ultimately cost him a place in France's final 23-man party for Euro 2016.

UEFA spent the intervening time conducting their own private study to ascertain whether the fat burner contained a banned substance, leaving him unable to play.

In a statement released on Friday, Liverpool said: ‘Liverpool Football Club welcomes today’s decision from UEFA to dismiss the case against Mamadou Sakho, confirming he did not commit any doping violation. We are pleased for Mamadou that he can now resume his playing career.'