Hull`s Livermore suspended amid drug reports

London: Hull midfielder Jake Livermore was suspended by the Premier League club and the Football Association on Friday amid reports the England international had tested positive for cocaine.

The Tigers released a statement confirming Livermore`s suspension after numerous reports circulated earlier in the day that he had failed a drugs test.

Although the club didn`t acknowledge the reports, the Daily Telegraph claimed Livermore failed a post-match drug test after Hull`s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on April 25.

The 25-year-old played for Steve Bruce`s struggling side in their 1-0 defeat against relegation rivals Burnley last weekend, but the Telegraph said "the club had no choice but to ban him once they were informed of the test result".

The Hull statement read: "The Football Association has suspended Hull midfielder Jake Livermore.

"Following suspension by the FA the club has subsequently suspended Jake Livermore pending further investigations to be made by the FA and our own internal disciplinary procedures.

"The club is unable to make any further comment during this process."

The FA followed by releasing a statement announcing a player, who it did not name, had failed a drugs test.

"In line with its anti-doping regulations the FA can confirm it has issued a provisional suspension to a participant following a positive test for a prohibited substance. The FA will make no further comment until it has completed its investigations into this matter," the statement read.

The Telegraph reported that Livermore could face a six-month ban if the test results are confirmed.

Livermore would be the highest profile player to be banned for taking cocaine since Chelsea`s Romanian striker Adrian Mutu, who was suspended by the FA and sacked by his club after failing a drug test in 2004.

Australian goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, then playing for Chelsea, was suspended for nine months and sacked by his club after testing positive for cocaine in December 2002.

Livermore, who won his only England cap in the friendly against Italy in 2012, has played in 35 of the Tigers` 36 games this season.

He joined Hull on a season-long loan from Spurs in 2013 and completed a permanent £8 million move in June last year.

Hull, who play at Spurs on Saturday before finishing their campaign with a home match against Manchester United, are currently in the relegation zone and lie two points from safety.