- The Croatian football association declares Vuskovic's innocence.
Despite doubling the disciplinary action towards HSV player Mario Vuskovic in Croatia, his football association still maintains his innocence. The Croatian Football Association (HNS) expressed shock at the Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) decision in Zagreb, as reported by the Croatian online newspaper "index.hr". Despite Mario initially rejecting the lighter ban imposed by the German Football Association's court to prove his innocence, CAS delivered a strict verdict.
The association remains committed to combating "all types of performance-enhancing substances in sports" and vows to continue educating football players thoroughly and persistently. Yet, in a surprising turn of events, they now back Mario and HSV in seeking legal redress to clear his name, according to official statements. "We have full faith that Mario will return to the football field, once this legal battle is resolved."
Mario was convicted by the German Football Association's court in 2023 for using the banned blood doping agent Epo, leading to a retroactive ban from November 15, 2022. Croatia appealed this decision. The CAS in Lausanne even extended the ban on the 22-year-old to four years, overturning the initial verdict. Both the National Anti-Doping Agency Nada and the World Anti-Doping Agency Wada successfully appealed the initial decision.
Mario joined HSV from the Croatian club Hajduk Split in 2021. Hajduk showed their support for Mario on Facebook after the CAS ruling, posting "Mario, always by your side."
The Croatian Football Association (HNS) and Mario Vuskovic's club, HSV, are now planning to challenge the four-year ban imposed by the CAS for soccer-related offenses, aiming to clear Mario's name. Despite his past controversy with performance-enhancing substances, fans of HSV and Hajduk Split continue to show their support for Mario, expressing their belief in his return to the soccer field.
