Hamburg defender Mario Vuskovic to be banned until 2026 for doping | OneFootball

Bild reports that the Court of Arbitration for Sport have banned Hamburg defender Mario Vuskovic from the sport for four years until 2026.

Vuskovic has already served nearly two years of a ban, which has been extended by two years. In September 2022, the 22-year-old tested positive for EPO and was subsequently banned from football originally by the DFB in November of that year.

The ban then went to trial at CAS as Vuskovic aimed for an acquittal while the World Anti-Doping Agency and the German Anti-Doping Agency both wanted the ban extended. The decision was made to extend his ban until Autumn 2026, but Vuskovic can able the ruling at the Swiss Federal Court, if this fails then he will have to see out his ban.

The defender’s contract at Hamburg expires in 2025 and since being banned he has maintained contact with the team, regularly watching them at the Volksparkstadion whilst also keeping himself fit in anticipation of a return.

Now, Vuskovic will have to decide whether to see out for the ban like he has done for the past two years or hang up his boots. The 22-year-old also joins Paul Pogba who is also currently serving a similar ban for doping, however, he will be out until 2028 unless the ban is overturned or reduced.

GGFN | Jack Meenan