Mudryk free to play for Chelsea after CAS appeal

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk is available to return to playing immediately after resolving his doping case with the Football Association

The Ukraine international, 25, has not played a competitive match since November 2024, having been provisionally suspended after returning an "adverse finding" for banned substance meldonium. He was subsequently given the maximum four-year ban by the FA but appealed against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

The FA said anti-doping disciplinary proceedings have now been resolved with Mudryk and he can return to competition "with immediate effect" after he accepted breaking anti-doping rules and agreed to a suspension equal to the time already served. Mudryk said he was "grateful" to able to return to playing after "the most difficult period" of his career.

He added: "As I have always maintained from the outset of this case, I have never knowingly or intentionally taken any banned substance."

Chelsea said they are looking forward to helping Mudyk "return to full fitness, back into the squad and back onto the pitch" and he will join the club's pre-season tour. Mudryk said he expresses "deep gratitude" to everyone at Chelsea and is looking forward to the "next chapter" of his career.

The FA never previously disclosed details of the case, because their anti-doping programme is deemed strictly confidential. However, their statement on Friday confirmed Mudryk returned an adverse finding for meldonium, which can increase respiratory capacity and stamina, in an out-of-competition test on international duty with Ukraine in October 2024. He was charged by the FA in June 2025 and given a four-year suspension in January, which came to light in April after he appealed against the ban to Cas.

The FA said the test showed "a low concentration" of the prohibited cardiovascular medication. It added that changes have since been made to the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) technical document regarding meldonium.

The FA said the changes are "not retroactive" but noted that 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.

In a separate case resolution agreement to his Cas appeal, Mudryk and the FA have now, with the agreement of Wada, resolved the proceedings, leaving him able to return to all forms of competition.

Chelsea welcomed the decision and said they were eager to help Mudryk return to full fitness. The club said they were looking forward to getting him “back into the squad and back on to the pitch,” with the winger set to join their pre-season preparations.

Mudryk also expressed his appreciation to everyone at Chelsea and said he was excited for “the next chapter” of his career as he prepares to return to football.