In the suspected doping case of professional footballer Mario Vuskovic of second-division club Hamburger SV, the analysis of the B sample has also turned out positive.

This was announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Thursday. “Based on the analysis result of the B sample now available, it is assumed that an infringement of applicable anti-doping regulations has occurred,” it said.

Now the DFB sports court must decide on possible sanctions. “HSV will now examine and determine the next steps in close consultation with its player and in exchange with the DFB,” HSV wrote on its homepage. The sports court can set a penalty notice in writing or convene a hearing at the DFB headquarters in Frankfurt/Main. That will almost certainly be in January next year.

Vuskovic had tested positive for erythropoietin (Epo) during a training check on 16 September in Hamburg by the National Anti-Doping Agency Nada. The result was announced by the DFB on 12 November. A few days later, the 21-year-old Croatian was provisionally suspended. Should he be convicted by the sports court, he will have to face a four-year ban.