Vuskovic faces a doping trial. - Courtroom sobs from HSV figure
Those who believe in Mario Vuskovic's innocence might find this account distressing...
Recently, video recordings from day one of the trial on Tuesday, which only recently became available, reveal that the Croatian player testified for over ten minutes.
On September 16, 2022, the day that his doping sample tested positive for Epo, he says:
"My normal training routine involved an hour of intense training before the game, following a team meeting. Afterward, I'd usually go to the gym, but then the doping control officers approached me and a teammate (Xavier Amaechi, ed.) and asked us to go to the doping control room.
Five minutes after training, I provided the first half bottle of my urine. We chatted and drank water for about 15 minutes, and then offered the remainder of the urine they requested."
In response to his lawyer, Tomislav Kasalo's questioning (who guides the testimony with interjected questions), Vuskovic replies hesitantly:
"After that, I trained and played the games. And that's all."
He suddenly becomes emotional, struggling to maintain his composure, sobbing, covering his face, and breathing deeply before slowly regaining his composure. He says, "It's okay."
Kasalo then mentions, "Now comes the most challenging part, November 11..."
Vuskovic, flinching again: "I went to the HSV premises with my advisors, intending to discuss the situation with the sports director. It was actually a good thing. I thought I'd done well on the pitch and perhaps we were discussing a new contract.
I prepared for training shortly after that, but five minutes later, sports director Jonas Boldt called, asking me to meet him right away. I expected a positive outcome. I went to his office, and then my advisor informed me that I had tested positive.
He stated, "It's not corona again, because I've had that before." However, he responded, "You're positive for doping." I responded, "That can't be." I had never taken anything or done anything like that.
He exclaimed, "You're positive for Epo!" I exclaimed, "I don't even know what Epo is." This was the first time I'd heard the term Epo.
Vuskovic choked up, sobbing for about 30 seconds.
"None of us in the room knew what Epo was. We called the doctor, who confirmed everything. I went back to train, but my mind was elsewhere. Afterward, we returned, and the police were waiting for me in the locker room. They said, "You have to go with us to the police station."
He faltered again.
"It was shocking. Everybody was staring at me as if I had committed a crime. But I had never done anything and didn't even understand the situation. They took my phone, computer, and other items from the locker room.
They searched my home as well, where my girlfriend was alone. The team manager handed me the phone and said, "Your girlfriend needs you." She was upset, and I returned home to see three strangers going through our apartment, under a search warrant.
They found nothing, just like at the club. They took photos of all the rooms, even my girlfriend. They took my iPad, my second phone, and various personal items like toothpaste and creams.
We were dismissed from the club, and I wanted to talk to my family. However, two police officers met me outside my office, stating, "Don't touch anything! We have to examine your car." I had to wait several hours until the doctor arrived to take a blood and urine sample. They were also negative.
Then I went home to talk to my family. I was still unaware of the true circumstances."
His lawyer then inquired how his life had been affected by this ordeal.
Vuskovic: "It was a horrific experience. As I had mentioned in the initial hearing at the DFB sports tribunal: I wouldn't wish this nightmare on my worst enemy, considering what my family and I have been through for the past 18 months. The only thing I can do is play soccer, and they've taken that away from me."
Lastly, Kasalo asks, "Are you a cheater?"
"No, I would never do what they accuse me of."
The testimonial lasts well beyond ten minutes, with Vuskovic answering two questions from Judge Luigi Fumagalli regarding training content.
Shortly after his testimony, Vuskovic left the room for a few moments to cleanse his face - to also wipe away his tears.
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Source: symclub.org
