Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk is now eligible to play immediately following the resolution of his doping case with the Football Association (FA). The Ukraine international, 25, had been provisionally suspended after an “adverse finding” for the banned substance meldonium, and has not participated in a competitive match since November 2024.
Mudryk had initially received a four-year ban from the FA. However, he appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas). The FA confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have concluded, with Mudryk accepting a suspension equivalent to the time already served, allowing him to return to competition with immediate effect.
Case Resolution and FA Statement
The FA’s anti-doping programme is typically confidential, but their statement confirmed that Mudryk’s adverse finding for meldonium occurred during an out-of-competition test while on international duty with Ukraine in October 2024. Meldonium is known to potentially enhance respiratory capacity and stamina.
Mudryk was charged by the FA in June 2025 and received a four-year suspension in January, which became public knowledge in April after his appeal to Cas. The FA noted that the test revealed a “low concentration” of the prohibited cardiovascular medication.
Changes have since been implemented by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) regarding meldonium’s technical document. While these changes are not retroactive, the FA stated that if Mudryk’s sample were collected today, the concentration of meldonium would not have been reported, and no adverse finding would have been recorded.
Through a separate case resolution agreement, Mudryk and the FA, with Wada’s consent, have resolved the proceedings, enabling his immediate return to all forms of competition.
Chelsea’s Support and Mudryk’s Perspective
Mudryk expressed his “deep gratitude” to everyone at Chelsea and stated he was “grateful” to be able to return to playing after what he described as “the most difficult period” of his career. He maintained that he never knowingly or intentionally took any banned substance.
Chelsea welcomed the resolution, stating they are “pleased that the matter has now reached a conclusion which allows him to return to football with immediate effect.” The club affirmed their continuous support for Mudryk throughout the process, while respecting the anti-doping system and legal procedures.
The club also highlighted that advancements in testing mean that under current guidelines, Mudryk’s sample would not have resulted in an anti-doping rule violation. This, they noted, is an important aspect of the agreed resolution, allowing all parties to move forward.
Mudryk remains under contract with Chelsea until 2031, having joined the club from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2022. He made 73 appearances for Chelsea, scoring nine goals, before his suspension.
Maintaining Fitness During Suspension
During his 20-month suspension, Mudryk was unable to access Chelsea’s training ground or work with club staff. He maintained his fitness by paying for private coaching and hiring goalkeepers for individual sessions, utilising a pitch at non-league club Uxbridge FC in London.
He also organised a training camp in Austria, with videos from these sessions showing him participating in attacking drills and scoring goals. Sources close to Mudryk indicate his confidence in returning to his best form, citing the work he put in to stay fit.
Despite these efforts, those close to Mudryk acknowledge that daily training and competition with elite players are irreplaceable. Mudryk is reportedly realistic about the challenges ahead but believes he can overcome them.
Chelsea is prepared to facilitate his return to professional football. His reintegration into the first team, a potential loan move, possibly to sister club Strasbourg, or a permanent transfer are all possibilities that remain to be seen. The resolution of this case marks a significant moment for Mudryk, offering him the chance to resume his career and define its next chapter.
Mudryk’s journey at Stamford Bridge, which began with a closely watched transfer in 2023, is not yet concluded.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Freya Donnelly is the Sports Reporter at News-UK, covering tennis, cricket and athletics with seven years of reporting experience. She reported on Team GB through an Olympic cycle. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Brighton and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Brighton, she plays club cricket in the summer. “Listening is the most underrated skill in sports reporting.”
