Mario Vušković made 47 appearances for Hamburg before his doping suspension began in November 2022. - © IMAGO/Sven Sonntag/IMAGO/Picture Point LE

2. Bundesliga

Hamburg's Mario Vušković signs new contract despite four-year ban

09.09.2024

Mario Vušković is unable to play until November 2026 due to a doping suspension, but Hamburg have arranged a new deal with the defender that will give him the chance to reintegrate with the first team.

Vušković, 22, may not have appeared since 2022, but the Bundesliga 2 club hope for him to return to action in 2026/27 having terminated his existing contract while agreeing on a new deal.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in August suspended Vušković until 15 November 2026, having assessed a two-year suspension that Vušković received from the DFB Sports Court for use of the performance-enhancing drug EPO. The judges at the Lausanne court overturned that ruling and imposed a four-year suspension in accordance with statutes.

While the suspension applies to playing or training for all clubs in world football (including at amateur level), Hamburg hope to offer him a route back with a contract from November 2026 that will be closely linked to his ability to return to play football for them.

Hamburg board members Eric Huwer and Stefan Kuntz said: "Mario Vušković was, is and always will be part of the HSV family." Huwer said that while the club has to accept the CAS ruling: "We still have good reason to doubt whether the doping accusation against Mario is justified."

Sporting director Kuntz says: "We are offering Mario some perspective and HSV an opportunity. We all know that a return to professional football after a four-year ban is going to be tricky. However, we are convinced that Mario has the quality and the drive to be able to make a comeback. We are ready to continue to support his journey in the best way possible.”

Vušković, who is only permitted to train individually until September 2026, says: "I will do everything I can to return better than ever. HSV is so much more to me than just an employer or a club. I am very grateful and have full focus now on our common goal – 2026."