Mudryk Back in Action After CAS Decision

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk can play again right away. This follows a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport that partly supported his appeal against a four-year doping ban.

The 25-year-old from Ukraine has not played since November 2024. He was provisionally suspended by the Football Association in December after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium.

Mudryk received a four-year ban from the FA but chose to appeal to CAS. The court has decided he can return to the pitch after accepting he violated anti-doping rules and agreeing to a suspension equal to the time he has already missed.

According to BBC Sport on Friday, Mudryk expressed his gratitude for the chance to resume his career. He called it the “most difficult period” of his life.

“I am grateful to be cleared to return to playing,” Mudryk said. “As I have always maintained from the outset of this case, I have never knowingly or intentionally taken any banned substance.”

The CAS ruling confirmed that Mudryk tested positive for meldonium during an out-of-competition test while playing for Ukraine in October 2024. This substance is banned because it can affect heart performance and stamina.

CAS pointed out that the sample had “a low concentration” of meldonium. They also noted that the World Anti-Doping Agency has changed its guidance on this substance. The court mentioned that the new rules do not apply to past cases, but if the same test were done today, “the concentration of meldonium in the sample would not have been reported” and no problem would have been found.

Chelsea welcomed the CAS decision. They are keen to help Mudryk get back to full fitness.

The club said they look forward to having him “back into the squad and back onto the pitch.” Mudryk is set to join their pre-season training.

Mudryk also thanked everyone at Chelsea. He is excited for “the next chapter” of his career as he gets ready to return to football.