Mykhailo Mudryk cleared to return to football after doping ban resolved
Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to return to competitive football following the resolution of his doping case with the Football Association. The Ukraine international had been provisionally suspended since November 2024.
Mudryk, 25, had not played a competitive match since that time after an “adverse finding” for the banned substance meldonium. He was initially given a four-year ban by the FA, a decision he subsequently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
Resolution of the Case
The FA confirmed that the anti-doping disciplinary proceedings have now been resolved. Mudryk accepted breaking anti-doping rules and agreed to a suspension equal to the time already served, allowing him to return to competition “with immediate effect.”
Mudryk expressed his gratitude for being able to return to playing, describing the period as “the most difficult” of his career. He maintained that he had “never knowingly or intentionally taken any banned substance.”
The FA’s statement confirmed that Mudryk’s sample, collected during an out-of-competition test while on international duty with Ukraine in October 2024, showed a “low concentration” of meldonium. Meldonium is a prohibited cardiovascular medication that can enhance respiratory capacity and stamina.
Changes have since been made to the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) technical document regarding meldonium. The FA noted that these changes are “not retroactive,” but stated that if Mudryk’s test had been conducted under current guidelines, “the concentration of meldonium in the sample would not have been reported” and no adverse finding would have been recorded.
With the agreement of Wada, Mudryk and the FA resolved the proceedings through a separate case resolution agreement, distinct from his Cas appeal. This allows him to participate in all forms of competition.
Chelsea’s Support and Mudryk’s Return
Chelsea stated their pleasure that the matter has concluded, enabling Mudryk’s immediate return to football. The club affirmed their continuous support for him 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, “no anti-doping rule violation would have resulted” from Mudryk’s sample. This aspect is considered an “important part of the context surrounding the agreed resolution” and allows all parties to move forward.
Mudryk remains under contract with Chelsea until 2031, having joined from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2022. Had the four-year ban remained in place, he would have been unable to play again until approximately December 2028.
Sources close to Mudryk indicate his confidence in returning to his best form, citing his efforts to maintain fitness during his months away from the game. He received support from Chelsea from a distance, as he was unable to access the club’s training ground or work with club staff under the terms of his suspension.
To maintain his fitness, Mudryk engaged private 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.
While acknowledging the challenge ahead, Mudryk is understood to be realistic about his reintegration. Chelsea is prepared to provide a pathway back into professional football, with options including reintegration into the first team, a loan move, potentially involving sister club Strasbourg, or a permanent transfer.
The resolution of the case marks a significant moment for Mudryk, offering him the opportunity to resume his career. He was charged by the FA in June 2025.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”
