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Mudryk cleared to play after CAS partially lifts doping ban
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

Mudryk cleared to play after CAS partially lifts doping ban

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to play immediately after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) partially upheld his appeal against a four-year ban.
  • Mudryk described the past 20 months as the "most difficult period" of his career following an anti-doping case involving meldonium.
  • CAS ruled that the low concentration of meldonium found in his sample would not have been reported under current testing guidelines, leading to a suspension equivalent to the time already served.

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk can resume playing immediately after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) partially granted his appeal, ending a lengthy anti-doping case. The 25-year-old Ukrainian international described the preceding 20 months as the "most difficult period" of his career.

This has been the most difficult period of my career.

— Mykhailo MudrykDescribing his experience during the anti-doping case.

CAS overturned a potential four-year ban, allowing Mudryk's return to competitive football. The ruling followed an agreement between Mudryk, the Football Association, and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). BBC Sport reported that Chelsea is set to reintegrate the player into their squad, with his expected participation in the club's pre-season tour.

Mudryk reiterated his consistent stance that he never knowingly or intentionally took a banned substance. He expressed gratitude for the resolution of the case and his clearance to return to the sport. "My commitment to competing fairly and representing my club and country with professionalism and integrity has always been important to me," he stated.

I am grateful that this process has reached a conclusion, that I have been cleared to return to football and that I can now look ahead to my future.

— Mykhailo MudrykExpressing relief and looking forward after the CAS ruling.

The player thanked his family, friends, Chelsea, teammates, supporters, and legal team for their support throughout the ordeal. His focus is now on returning to football, working diligently, and contributing positively on the pitch.

As I have always maintained from the outset of this case, I have never knowingly or intentionally taken any banned substance. My commitment to competing fairly and representing my club and country with professionalism and integrity has always been important to me.

— Mykhailo MudrykReaffirming his innocence regarding banned substances.

Mudryk had been provisionally suspended since November 2024 after an out-of-competition test revealed a low concentration of meldonium while he was on international duty with Ukraine. CAS determined that under current WADA technical reporting standards, such a low concentration would not have triggered a report if tested today. As part of the settlement, Mudryk accepted a suspension equal to the period he had already been sidelined, making him immediately eligible to play. Chelsea welcomed the decision, expressing eagerness to help him regain full fitness.

My focus now is on returning to football, working hard every day, and making a positive contribution on the pitch.

— Mykhailo MudrykStating his immediate goals after being cleared to play.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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