The Italian authorities were furious and lodged numerous appeals when the two players, who at the time of the incident were playing for Brescia, were banned for turning up 25 minutes late to a doping test.

They were delayed by a long post-defeat team talk in the locker room following the 2-0 home loss to Chievo on December 1 2007 and their test results were negative, so the Italian Federation had imposed a two-week ban.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled the delay was still breaking the rules and warranted an automatic one-year suspension.

This evening the CAS “re-opened the proceedings, since all parties have agreed to such a request.”

It means Mannini, who now plays for Napoli, can make his comeback in Sunday night’s Serie A match with Milan.

Possanzini can return for promotion chasing Brescia in Monday evening’s Serie B game with Salernitana.

The CAS is expected to emerge with a more lenient verdict on April 3, transforming the ban into a fine.