Mykhailo Mudryk, the Ukrainian winger for Chelsea FC, has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against a four-year doping ban imposed by the Football Association (FA). This appeal comes after Mudryk was sidelined for nearly 18 months following an adverse finding in a routine urine test.
Mudryk tested positive for the prohibited substance meldonium, which led to his provisional suspension in December 2024 while on international duty. Subsequently, he was charged in June 2025 and handed a maximum four-year ban by the FA, which means that if his appeal is unsuccessful, he would not be eligible for selection until December 2028.
The timeline of events surrounding this case is significant:
- Mudryk was provisionally suspended in December 2024 after failing a drug test.
- He was charged by the FA in June 2025.
- The appeal against this decision was submitted on February 25, 2026.
During this time, Mudryk has maintained his innocence, stating that he has “never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules.” He described his “complete shock” at the positive test result and has been training with a private coach while awaiting the outcome of his appeal. His last competitive match took place in November 2024, marking a substantial absence from the pitch.
As for Chelsea FC, they have declined to comment on the ongoing case. Meanwhile, the FA has not disclosed further details regarding the circumstances of Mudryk’s violation or any potential mitigating factors. The implications of this case extend beyond Mudryk himself—his absence has left a notable gap in Chelsea’s lineup since joining from Shakhtar Donetsk for an initial fee of £88 million in January 2023.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has confirmed receipt of Mudryk’s appeal, but no timeline for a decision has been shared. As the football community watches closely, both supporters and critics await clarity on whether Mudryk will return to competitive football sooner than anticipated.