Former Portugal defender Abel Xavier says he is confident the Court of Arbitration for Sport will reduce his 18-month ban for testing positive for steroids in 2005.
The 32-year-old Xavier tested positive for methandienone after playing for Middlesbrough in a UEFA Cup against Greek team Xanthi on Sept. 29, 2005. He was banned in November by UEFA.
Xavier, who has denied knowingly taking banned substances, had appealed his ban to CAS.
``I'm optimistic,'' Xavi told the Lusa news agency on Thursday after leaving a CAS appeal hearing. ``Both FIFA and UEFA earn from footballers.
``I have already fulfilled eight months of my suspension and there is a new issue here _ I have an agreement to join a club if my sentence is reduced.''
Xavier did not offer any details about the club.
