Mykhailo Mudryk issues statement as Chelsea star has doping ban lifted after 20 months

Ukrainian winger has been suspended since failing a doping test in November 2024

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Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk can return to competitive action with immediate effect after his doping ban was resolved by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the FA.

The Ukrainian has not featured for the Blues since November 2024, when he featured in a 2-0 Conference League defeat of Heidenheim, when he was provisionally suspended after a routine doping test turned up an adverse finding. - the controlled substance meldonium Mudryk maintained his innocence throughout proceedings.

Recent changes to doping regulations, though, have adjusted the parameters for meldonium, and the concentration found in Mudryk’s sample would no longer warrant a ban under the updated rules.

As a result, after 20 months on the sidelines, Chelsea and the FA have confirmed he is once again eligible to play.

An FA statement read: “Changes have been made to WADA Technical Document (TD2027MRL) which, while not retroactive, mean that if Mr Mudryk’s sample was collected today, the concentration of meldonium in the sample would not have been reported and no ADRVs (Anti-Doping Rule Violations) would have resulted.

Comeback: Mykhailo Mudryk

AFP via Getty Images

“Mr Mudryk is no longer ineligible and may return to competition with immediate effect.”

Mudryk lodged an appeal against his four-year suspension with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in April 2026. Mudryk was represented throughout legal proceedings by Morgan Sports Law, the same firm that helped ex-Manchester United star Paul Pogba and cyclist Chris Froome.

Chelsea added in a statement: “This has been an extremely difficult period for Misha, both professionally and personally, and we are pleased that the matter has now reached a conclusion which allows him to return to football with immediate effect.

Mudryk has been training alone with hired goalkeepers and private coaches while suspended

Instagram/mmudryk10

“We have always supported Misha throughout this process while fully respecting the integrity of the anti-doping system and the legal process.

“We know how much this opportunity to return means to him. Our focus now is on supporting Misha’s reintegration into the squad and helping him resume his career. Chelsea FC remains fully committed to the highest standards of sporting integrity and compliance with all anti-doping regulations.”

Mudryk is now set to be reintegrated into Xabi Alonso’s squad, which is currently on a pre-season tour of Australia and south-east Asia. It remains to be seen how his future will be handled after spending nearly two years away from elite football.

Mudryk celebrates Chelsea’s Conference League win with Enzo Fernandez in Wroclaw

Instagram/@enzojfernandez

Throughout his suspension, Mudryk has trained alone with a private coaching staff. He has regularly shared footage to his social media channels of himself undertaking shooting drills at non-league Uxbridge FC’s Honeycroft stadium.

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Writing on his Instagram page after the ban was lifted, Mudryk said: “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.

“This has been the most difficult period of my career. 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.

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

He then thanked his family, friends and legal team for supporting him throughout the process.

While suspended, he missed out on contributing to Chelsea’s triumphant Conference League and Club World Cup campaigns, though he was present in Wroclaw when the Blues beat Real Betis to clinch the title in UEFA’s third-tier competition.

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