Hamburg welcome back Mario Vušković after four-year doping ban
Mario Vušković has returned to Hamburg team training for the first time after serving a four-year doping suspension.
The Croatian defender, 24, last played on 9 November 2022, featuring in Hamburg's 1-0 Bundesliga 2 defeat to Greuther Fürth. He has been sidelined ever since following a doping case that ultimately resulted in a four-year ban.
To mark the occasion, Hamburg - now back in the Bundesliga - moved their training session to the Volksparkstadion, giving Vušković the chance to take to the pitch with his teammates at the club's home ground.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned a two-year suspension imposed by the German Football Association Sports Court in August 2024 and extended the ban to four years, ruling that Vušković had used the performance-enhancing drug EPO.
Hamburg stood by their defender during his enforced absence, handing him a new contract in 2024. He can now begin the process of working his way back towards competitive football.
Last season, his younger brother Luka Vušković enjoyed a successful loan spell at Hamburg from Tottenham Hotspur before moving to Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer.
"We want to make sure Mario gets the recognition he deserves on Tuesday," said head coach Merlin Polzin beforehand.
"At the same time, we don't want to make too much of a fuss about it, because that’s not really his way. He's just really looking forward to being back in the dressing room, enjoying himself with the team again and getting back out on the pitch.
"He looks good and can hardly wait to get going. He'll be absolutely raring to go, so if anything, we'll probably have to rein him in a little."
