Hamburg defender Mario Vuskovic has lost his final appeal against a four-year doping ban. The Swiss Federal Court confirmed the ruling, which extends his suspension until November 2026. This decision ends a protracted legal battle that began when Vuskovic tested positive for EPO (erythropoietin) in September 2022.
Originally, the German Football Association imposed a two-year ban on the 23-year-old defender. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) extended it to four years after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Germany’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) advocated for the standard penalty. He tested positive for EPO (erythropoietin) in September 2022.
Vuskovic maintained his innocence, claiming mistakes were made during the testing procedure. Yet, CAS upheld the ban, and the Swiss Federal Court’s recent ruling has now closed the door on further appeals. This final decision means he cannot return to competitive football until November 2026.
The Croatian defender was once capped at under-21 level and even drew Premier League interest before his suspension. He is the first footballer to receive a ban for EPO usage, making his case unprecedented. Many fans in Hamburg have rallied behind him with “Free Vuskovic” stickers and replica shirts, although none of this support has altered the legal outcome.
Within the club, officials and teammates remain convinced of his innocence, frequently displaying his name and number after matches. Despite this solidarity, the ban stands firm, leaving Vuskovic in a professional limbo. He must train alone until September 2026, when he will be permitted to rejoin team sessions.
Upon receiving the extended ban, Hamburg and Vuskovic mutually terminated his existing contract and replaced it with a future agreement. That deal will activate once his suspension ends, offering a faint glimmer of hope for the 23-year-old’s return.
