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Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been given the green light to resume playing immediately, after spending nearly two years on the sidelines following a positive doping test.
Mudryk's last appearance for Chelsea came in November 2024. A urine sample taken the month before was subsequently found to contain a "low concentration" of a prohibited substance. The substance—meldonium—was placed on the banned list by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 2016. It is not a performance-enhancing drug but can improve endurance and support recovery.
The Ukrainian international was provisionally banned by the FA and faced a potential four-year suspension from the sport. Mudryk consistently maintained that he "never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules."
An independent regulatory commission found Mudryk guilty of anti-doping rule violations in January 2026 and handed him a four-year ban. He subsequently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The matter has now been settled through an agreement between Mudryk, the FA, and WADA, restoring the player's eligibility to compete.
Mudryk Ends 'Most Difficult Period' of His Career
A key development in the case was a revision to the relevant WADA technical document concerning meldonium concentration thresholds. The change is not retroactive, meaning prior cases are not automatically re-evaluated under the new criteria, but the previously noted "low concentration" means an identical sample collected today would not trigger a positive result.
This was factored into the appeal review, though Mudryk has not been fully exonerated. He was required to acknowledge the anti-doping violations he was originally charged with and accept a suspension equivalent to the time he had already served.
Reading between the lines, it appears the authorities believe Mudryk has served a sufficient punishment, particularly given the updated meldonium threshold.
"This has been the most difficult period of my career," Mudryk said in a statement shared on Instagram. "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."
Alongside thanking his family, friends, and legal team, the 25-year-old expressed "deep gratitude" to Chelsea for their continued support. He is now "focused on returning to football."
When Will Mudryk Next Play for Chelsea?
In principle, Mudryk is free to play immediately, but the reality is somewhat more complicated. During his ban, he was prohibited from training with Chelsea or using any facilities at the club's Cobham training ground.
He was not left entirely without support, however, as the Blues arranged a tailored program and granted him access to facilities at Uxbridge FC, a seventh-tier English club located in outer west London.
A period of readjustment is expected as Mudryk works his way back to full sharpness.
Once he is fully fit, his place at Chelsea remains uncertain. His No. 10 shirt was handed to Cole Palmer in 2025, though the Blues have struggled to nail down the left wing role in his absence, which at least keeps the door slightly ajar for his return.
New arrival Morgan Rogers could feature on the left flank next season, while Jamie Gittens did little during 2025–26 to make a convincing case for a long-term stay.
Chelsea's close ties with partner club Strasbourg could even result in Mudryk heading to France as he looks to rebuild his career.