Chelsea’s Mudryk cleared to play after nearly two-year doping saga

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk can immediately resume his football career after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) partially upheld his appeal against a four-year doping ban. The decision ends a case that has kept the 25-year-old Ukrainian international out of competitive action since late 2024.

Mudryk received a provisional suspension from the Football Association following an adverse test for the banned substance meldonium during international duty. Although initially handed the maximum four-year ban, CAS ruled that the time already served would count as his suspension, allowing his immediate return. The court noted that the sample contained a low concentration of meldonium and that current WADA technical standards might not have flagged it as a positive test.

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Had Mudryk’s test been conducted today then the concentration of meldonium in the sample would not have been reported and no adverse finding would have been recorded.

"Had Mudryk’s test been conducted today then the concentration of meldonium in the sample would not have been reported and no adverse finding would have been recorded," CAS stated, according to BBC Sport. The FA, Mudryk, and WADA agreed to resolve the appeal proceedings, paving the way for his comeback.

Chelsea welcomed the CAS ruling, expressing eagerness to reintegrate Mudryk into the squad. "We look forward to getting Misha back to full fitness, back into the squad and back on to the pitch," the club said in a statement. Manager Xabi Alonso is expected to include Mudryk in Chelsea’s pre-season tour in Hong Kong. Mudryk has consistently denied knowingly or intentionally using any prohibited substance.

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We look forward to getting Misha back to full fitness, back into the squad and back on to the pitch.