 Xavier was initially banned from football for 18 months |
Former Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier has had his 18-month ban from football for doping reduced to one year by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Uefa imposed the ban on the Portuguese defender in November 2005 after he tested positive for anabolic steroids in a Uefa Cup tie two months earlier.
An appeal to Uefa failed in December, but the 33-year-old took his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Boro terminated Xavier's contract in January after his failed appeal.
A Uefa spokesman said in a statement: "We are surprised by the verdict but cannot make any further comments before receiving the detailed reasoning of the decision."
Xavier, who was the first player from the Premiership to be banned for taking performance-enhancing drugs, has been capped 20 times by Portugal.
He has played football for both Liverpool and Everton, as well as Benfica, Galatasaray and PSV Eindhoven.
Xavier tested positive after Boro's goalless draw against Xanthi on 29 September, 2005.
He joined the Riverside outfit on a 12-month deal in August 2005.
His positive test was for dianabol, a steroid favoured by body-builders.
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