Hamburg’s Mario Vušković tests positive for EPO

On Saturday evening, Hamburg announced that defender Mario Vušković was being investigated over breaking the anti-doping law. The Croatian tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO) following a routine check by NADA. This came after Vušković was absent from Hamburg’s match day squad as they beat Sandhausen 4-2, in the Croatian’s place was Jonas David a Hamburg academy graduate. 

Originally, Hamburg said that the centre-back would be missing from the game for personal reasons, but after the game Hamburg released a statement on the issue: “The DFB Control Committee issued proceedings. Since we have very few details of the investigation, we cannot comment in detail at this time. We support Mario and the competent authorities in the investigation and are in close contact with the DFL and DFB at this time.”

The DFB will decide on the length of the ban this week. Vukovic will now miss Hamburg’s trip to the US which they start on Sunday morning, while also having been taken out of training earlier on in the week after his positive test.

The Croatian has played 16 matches this season for HSV while scoring twice and providing an assist. He had been a mainstay in the squad until this weekend. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan 

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