Mykhailo Mudryk, the Chelsea winger, is now eligible to return to competitive football following the resolution of his doping case with the Football Association. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) partially upheld his appeal against a four-year ban, allowing him to resume playing immediately.
The 25-year-old Ukraine international had not participated in a competitive match since November 2024. His provisional suspension began after an out-of-competition test in October 2024, conducted during international duty with Ukraine, showed an “adverse finding” for the banned substance meldonium. He was subsequently charged by the FA in June 2025 and received a four-year suspension in January, which became public in April after his appeal to Cas.
The FA confirmed that the anti-doping disciplinary proceedings have been resolved. Mudryk accepted a breach of anti-doping rules and agreed to a suspension equivalent to the time he had already served. This agreement, made with the consent of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), allows him to return to all forms of competition.
Details of the Resolution
Mudryk expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return to play, describing the period as the “most difficult” of his career. He maintained that he never knowingly or intentionally took any banned substance. The FA noted that the test revealed a “low concentration” of meldonium, a prohibited cardiovascular medication known to enhance respiratory capacity and stamina.
A significant factor in the resolution was the subsequent changes made to Wada’s technical document concerning meldonium. The FA stated that these changes are not retroactive, but under current guidelines, the concentration of meldonium found in Mudryk’s sample would not have been reported as an adverse finding. This implies that no anti-doping rule violation would have occurred under today’s standards.
Chelsea released a statement expressing their pleasure that the matter has concluded, enabling Mudryk to return to football immediately. The club affirmed their continuous support for Mudryk throughout the process, while also respecting the integrity of the anti-doping system and legal procedures. They highlighted that advancements in testing mean his sample would not have resulted in a violation under current rules, calling this an “important part of the context” for the agreed resolution.
What’s Next for Mudryk
Mudryk is expected to join Chelsea’s pre-season tour, with reports indicating he will travel to Hong Kong next week. He remains under contract with Chelsea until 2031, having signed a long-term deal in 2022. The club is looking forward to helping him regain “full fitness, back into the squad and back onto the pitch.”
During his 20-month absence, Mudryk was unable to access Chelsea’s training facilities or work with club staff due to the terms of his suspension. To maintain his physical condition, he privately funded coaching and hired goalkeepers for individual sessions, utilising a pitch at non-league club Uxbridge FC in London. He also organised a training camp in Austria.
Sources close to Mudryk suggest he is confident in returning to his peak form, citing his dedication to fitness during this challenging period. While acknowledging the difficulties ahead, he believes he can overcome them. Chelsea is prepared to facilitate his return to professional football, with options such as reintegration into the first team, a loan move, potentially to sister club Strasbourg, or a permanent transfer being considered. The resolution of this case marks a significant moment for Mudryk, allowing him to resume his career.
Source: bbc.com
