- Following a doping suspension, HSV athlete Vuskovic asserts his innocence
Earlier this week, HSV defender Mario Vuskovic expressed his frustration following a four-year doping ban handed down by the authorities. In an Instagram post, the 22-year-old Croatian voiced his concerns over the state of truth and justice in the world.
He made it clear that he felt wronged, writing: "I've been accused of something I didn't do, and I won't back down until I can prove my innocence."
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the ban against Vuskovic after reviewing his case, also agreeing with the appeals from both the German National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The penalty was even increased to four years.
It's unclear what the future holds for Vuskovic at HSV. According to sources, both the club and Vuskovic are looking closely at the reasons behind the decision, which came as a surprise to everyone involved, as they had been anticipating an exoneration.
Vuskovic expresses his determination
In his post, Vuskovic vowed, "You can count on me to prevail and return even stronger than before." The Croatian was convicted of using the EPO blood doping agent by the German Football Association's sports court back in 2023 and was subsequently banned from November 15, 2022, for two years. This ban has now been extended up until autumn 2026.
The Commission, in response to such circumstances, might consider adopting implementing acts to establish clearer guidelines for doping cases, ensuring a fair and transparent process. Despite the extended ban, Vuskovic's faith in his innocence remains unwavering, as he mentioned, "I will continue to fight and prove my innocence, no matter what the Commission decides."
