Sakho facing Euro expulsion

France’s preparations ahead of Euro 2016 have been dealt another blow with Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho facing the possibility of a long ban after failing a drugs test.

The news broke on Saturday confirming Sakho is being investigated by Uefa after reportedly testing positive for a type of fat burner.

Although the 26-year-old has not yet been officially suspended, the Reds have confirmed he will not be available for selection until the investigation has been completed.

The Paris-born star was left out of the 2-2 draw against Newcastle United at Anfield and is expected to miss the Europa League semi-final first leg against Villarreal on Thursday.

It was after the European victory over Manchester United on March 17 that the centre-back failed the test, with the information only coming to light a month later.

Sakho’s Liverpool team-mate Kolo Toure was banned for six months in 2011 while at Manchester City after testing positive for a weight-loss drug contained within “water tablets” recommended to him by his wife.

A similar ban for Sakho would rule him out of Euro 2016 on home soil, which starts on June 10, in what would be another blow for national boss Didier Deschamps.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was recently ruled out of the tournament by the French Football Federation, due to an ongoing investigation involving team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Sakho’s absence would leave the likes of Laurent Koscielny, Raphael Varane, Jeremy Mathieu and Eliaquim Mangala to fight for the two centre-back positions.

France, who are searching for a third European title, have been drawn against Albania, Switzerland and Romania in Group A and are 1.36 favourites to top the pool.

Les Bleus, the 4.00 tournament favourites, open up against the Romanians and are priced at 1.36 to start with a victory, a draw is available at 4.33 while their opponents are the 7.00 outsiders.