Tunisian international Idriss Mhirsi has been declared eligible to return to professional football after successfully appealing a four-year doping ban handed down in January 2024.
The attacking midfielder, who was with US Monastir at the time of the original sanction, was suspended on January 12 last year by Tunisia’s National Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD).
The ruling followed a violation that was set to sideline him from all football-related activities until 2028.
However, in a major development announced on Tuesday, April 15, ANAD’s Appeals Committee overturned the decision, effectively lifting the ban and clearing the 30-year-old to rejoin the competitive ranks.
Mhirsi, a product of the youth academy at Espérance Sportive de Tunis, has enjoyed a career that spans both domestic and international football.
After emerging as a standout talent with Espérance, he moved to France where he featured for Red Star FC, before returning to Tunisia to join US Monastir.
He has also worn the national colours from a young age, having represented Tunisia at various youth levels since 2010.
His reinstatement marks a significant moment not only in his career but for Tunisian football, where his experience and skillset could still offer value.
The reversal of the ban comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Mhirsi’s future.
His legal team challenged the initial ruling, seeking to prove either procedural flaws or mitigating circumstances.
While specific details of the Appeals Committee’s reasoning have not been made public, the decision to reinstate Mhirsi has effectively closed a difficult chapter in the midfielder’s career.
Mhirsi’s camp has yet to issue a public statement, but the player is now free to resume training and prepare for a return to competitive action.
Whether that will be with his former club or a new team remains to be seen, but for now, the door is open.
The case has also reignited discussions within Tunisian football about doping regulations and athlete rights, especially in light of how swiftly a lengthy suspension can alter a player’s trajectory.
For Mhirsi, however, the focus is now on reclaiming his form and making the most of a second chance.
