2024-09-09 10:00:23
Mario Vušković is currently banned for doping. Hamburger SV has now terminated the contract with the professional, but continues to support him.
HSV professional Mario Vušković has been banned for four years by the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for EPO doping (read more about the case here). On Monday, the second division club announced that the professional’s contract had been terminated. The central defender’s contract, which ran until 2025, is no longer valid, as his ban is set to run until November 2026.
The banned professional explained: “It is clear to me that the contract, which runs until 2025, has been undermined by the ban imposed until 2026. HSV has supported me incredibly in many different ways over the past few years. That is also why it was never up for debate for me that I could sit out my contract if the ban was extended to four years.” So far, the professional, who has been banned since November 2022, has continued to be paid.
However, Hamburger SV announced that the club and player will continue to work together after the ban has expired. A statement from the club reads: “Vušković is signing a new contract as a licensed player from 2026. This contract will be very performance-related.” HSV wants to give the defender the opportunity to make a comeback after he was without organized football and training for four years.
HSV board member Stefan Kuntz: “We all know that a return to professional play after a four-year ban is not a given. However, we are convinced that Mario has the skills and fighting spirit to master a return. And we are ready to continue to support him as best as possible on this path.”