Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to return to competitive football after successfully appealing a four-year doping ban imposed by the English Football Association (FA) in April 2025 [1, 2, 3]. The ban followed a positive test for meldonium detected in October 2024, which led to his suspension and absence from matches since November 2024 [1, 2, 4].
Mudryk accepted the anti-doping rule violations committed and served the period of suspension before the appeal [1, 2]. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) partially upheld his appeal, allowing him to return immediately to competition [1, 3]. The FA and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) subsequently resolved the matter on July 31, 2026, confirming his eligibility to play again [2, 3].
Chelsea confirmed on August 1, 2026, that Mudryk will rejoin the club and participate in their pre-season preparations in Hong Kong [4, 5]. Manager Xabi Alonso said the club will focus on gradually reintegrating Mudryk, emphasizing that "we want that he feels part of the team, because he has not had this for a long time, and that he has the support from everyone: from the club, from the teammates, from the staff" [6].
Mudryk, 25, transferred from Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea in 2023 for a reported £62 million (approx. RM339 million) [4, 5]. Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi, who previously coached Mudryk at Shakhtar, welcomed the news and praised him as a top player [6].
Chelsea issued a statement noting, "From a personal and professional perspective, this has been an extremely difficult period for Misha. We are pleased it has now been resolved so he can immediately return to football" [1]. Mudryk expressed relief, stating, "After a long battle, the four-year ban that was imposed on me has been rescinded and I am free to resume my career with immediate effect. 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" [5].
Changes to WADA procedures now mean that if Mudryk's sample was collected today, the detected meldonium concentration would not trigger a violation, but these changes are not retroactive [4, 5].
The next step for Mudryk is to rejoin Chelsea’s pre-season tour in Hong Kong under close supervision and without being rushed back into competitive action, as confirmed by Alonso on August 2, 2026 [6].
