Mudryk Cleared to Return as Chelsea Winger Ends Doping Case
Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to return to football immediately after reaching an agreement with the Football Association over his doping case.
The 25-year-old Ukraine international has not played a competitive match since November 2024 after he was provisionally suspended following an adverse test for the banned substance meldonium.
Mudryk was later handed a four-year ban by the FA and appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
On Friday, the FA confirmed that the disciplinary case had been resolved after Mudryk accepted a breach of the anti-doping rules and agreed to a suspension equal to the time he had already served. As a result, he is now free to return to football with immediate effect.
Reacting to the decision, Mudryk described the period as the most difficult of his career.
“I am grateful to be able to return to playing after the most difficult period of my career,” he said.
He added: “As I have always maintained from the outset of this case, I have never knowingly or intentionally taken any banned substance.”
The FA revealed that the positive test came during an out-of-competition test while Mudryk was on international duty with Ukraine in October 2024. The sample contained a low concentration of meldonium, a substance that can improve stamina and breathing capacity.
According to the FA, changes have since been made to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s technical guidelines on meldonium. Under the current rules, the concentration found in Mudryk’s sample would not have been reported as an adverse finding. However, the FA noted that these changes do not apply retrospectively.
Chelsea welcomed the outcome and said they are looking forward to helping Mudryk return to full fitness and back into the first-team squad.
“We are pleased that the matter has now reached a conclusion which allows him to return to football with immediate effect,” the club said.
“We have always supported Misha throughout this process while fully respecting the integrity of the anti-doping system and the legal process.”
Chelsea also confirmed that Mudryk will join the club’s pre-season tour as he begins his return to action.
Mudryk thanked everyone at the club for their support and said he is excited about the next chapter of his career.
The Ukrainian remains under contract at Chelsea until 2031 after joining the Premier League club from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023. His return means he can now resume training and compete for a place in Chelsea’s squad for the new season.
