Chelsea clears Mudryk’s doping ban, winger returns after 20 months

Chelsea received a major boost in the transfer market as the English Football Federation announced that Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk can resume playing for the club with immediate effect, ending a four‑year doping ban that had kept him sidelined since December 2024.

The 25‑year‑old arrived in London in 2023 for a fee close to $100 million and was suspended from competition in December 2024, missing all official matches thereafter.

The case hinged on the substance meldonium; the FA said the sample contained a low concentration and that recent changes to the World Anti‑Doping Agency’s technical document mean such a level would no longer be classified as an adverse finding.

“While they are not retroactive (the changes), they imply that if the sample of Mr. Mudryk had been taken today, the concentration of meldonium would not have been notified and no anti‑doping rule violations would have occurred,” the English Football Federation explained.

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Following an independent appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the procedure was closed and Mudryk regained eligibility to compete in all football activities.

Mudryk’s last official appearance came on 28 November 2024, when Chelsea beat Heidenheim 2‑0 in the fourth group‑stage match of the UEFA Conference League; his suspension became effective on 17 December 2024.

The player said, “As I have always maintained since the start of this case, I never knowingly or intentionally consumed any prohibited substance,” and added he was grateful to return after what he called the most difficult period of his career.

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Chelsea welcomed the decision, stating the club is satisfied with the resolution, will help Mudryk regain fitness, reintegrate into the squad and join the upcoming pre‑season tour.

Mudryk remains under contract with Chelsea until 2031, having joined from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2022; during his 20‑month ban he could not train with the first‑team staff, instead financing private sessions, hiring goalkeepers, using Uxbridge FC’s facilities in London and organising a training camp in Austria.