Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to return to competitive football immediately after his doping ban was resolved. The 25-year-old had not played since November 2024, following a provisional suspension after an adverse finding for meldonium, a prohibited substance.
Mudryk received a four-year ban from the FA, which he subsequently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, changes to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) procedures meant that if his sample had been collected under current guidelines, no anti-doping rule violation would have been reported.
Resolution of the Doping Case
The FA confirmed that the anti-doping disciplinary proceedings against Mudryk were resolved on 30 July 2026, with the agreement of WADA. As part of this agreement, Mudryk accepted that he had committed Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) and agreed to a period of ineligibility equal to the time he had already served.
The FA stated that while the changes to WADA’s technical document (TD2027MRL) are not retroactive, they indicate that a sample with the same concentration of meldonium would not be reported today. This development, alongside other circumstances of the case, led to the resolution of the appeal proceedings.
Mudryk’s sample, which showed a low concentration of meldonium, was collected during an out-of-competition doping control on 22 October 2024, while he was on international duty with Ukraine. He was notified of the finding on 4 December 2024 and provisionally suspended. The FA charged him with ADRVs on 23 May 2025.
A hearing before an independent Regulatory Commission took place from 7 to 9 January 2026, which found Mudryk had committed the charged ADRVs and imposed a four-year period of ineligibility. This decision was then appealed to CAS by Mudryk.
Club and Player Statements
Chelsea welcomed the decision, stating they would support Mudryk’s reintegration into the squad and help him resume his career. The club highlighted that advances in scientific reporting standards for testing mean that under today’s technical requirements, Mudryk’s sample would not have been reported as positive, and no anti-doping rule violation would have occurred. This, they noted, is a crucial part of the context surrounding the agreed resolution.
Mudryk also released a statement, expressing gratitude for being able to return to play. He described the two years away from football as the “most difficult period of my career” and reiterated his stance that he had never knowingly or intentionally taken any banned substance.
The Ukraine international joined Chelsea for £88m from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023. Before his ban, he made 73 appearances for the club, scoring nine goals. He remains contracted with Chelsea until 2031.
During his suspension, Mudryk was not permitted to train at Chelsea‘s Cobham training ground or work with club staff. He maintained his fitness by working with personal trainers and hiring goalkeepers for individual sessions, using a pitch at non-league club Uxbridge FC in London. He also organised a training camp in Austria.
Sources close to Mudryk indicate his confidence in returning to his best form, acknowledging the work he put in to stay fit during his 20 months on the sidelines. They also noted the support provided by Chelsea throughout the process, despite the restrictions of his suspension.
The resolution of this case marks a significant moment for Mudryk, offering him the opportunity to resume his professional career. Chelsea is prepared to provide a pathway back into football, which could involve reintegration into the first team, a loan move, potentially to sister club Strasbourg, or a permanent transfer.
Mudryk is now eligible to return to competition with immediate effect as of 30 July 2026.
Source: skysports.com
