Hull City Midfielder Jake Livermore Suspended for Final Two EPL Matches After Reportedly Testing Positive for Cocaine

Hull City’s fight to avoid relegation from the English Premier League become a little more difficult on Friday with news midfielder Jake Livermore will be suspended by the Enlgish FA for the final two matches after failing a random drug test. The Independent reports Livermore tested positive for cocaine after a game against Crystal Palace in April. Hull City issued a brief statement confirming the suspension and noting it would conduct its own investigation.

Hull City currently sit 18th and in the final relegation spot, two points below 17th place Newcastle United. Hull closes the season with games against Tottenham and Manchester United. The Tigers cannot officially be relegated by the end of the weekend, but at minimum the club needs to win one of its final two matches to have any hope of avoiding the drop.

Livermore played in 35 league games for Hull City this season, including the 90 minutes in the 2-0 win at Crystal Palace on April 25.

According to the Guardian 1,604 drug tests were administered by the English FA last year, resulting in four violations.