BREAKING: Chelsea’s Mudryk free to play after CAS appeal

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk is now free to play competitive football after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) partially granted his appeal against a four-year doping ban. The Ukraine international had been sidelined since November 2024 following an "adverse finding" for the banned substance meldonium, which led to a provisional suspension by the Football Association (FA) in December.

The FA had imposed the maximum four-year suspension, but Mudryk challenged this decision at CAS. In a ruling reported by BBC Sport on Friday, CAS determined that the winger could resume competition "with immediate effect." This decision came after Mudryk acknowledged a breach of anti-doping regulations and agreed to a suspension that accounts for the time he has already been away from the game.

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with immediate effect

Chelsea Football Club welcomed the CAS ruling, expressing anticipation for Mudryk's return to full fitness and the squad. "We are looking forward to helping Mudryk regain full fitness and return to the squad," the club stated. They added their eagerness to see the winger "back to full fitness, back into the squad and back on to the pitch."

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We are looking forward to helping Mudryk regain full fitness and return to the squad.

Mudryk is expected to join Chelsea's pre-season tour as he prepares for his return to competitive action. The 25-year-old forward joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 for a potential fee of up to £89 million. However, his time at Stamford Bridge has been marked by inconsistency since his arrival.

The CAS decision offers Mudryk a significant opportunity to relaunch his Chelsea career after more than a year away from competitive football. The club will be hoping he can regain his form and contribute effectively in the upcoming season.

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back to full fitness, back into the squad and back on to the pitch.