Chelsea star handed FOUR year ban for doping offence - but immediately makes appeal decision

Callum Vurley
Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:24:40 +0000

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been handed the maximum four-year suspension by the Football Association following a positive test for the prohibited substance meldonium.

The Ukrainian international is now challenging the sanction at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, having submitted his appeal documentation on 25 February this year.

CAS has acknowledged receipt of the filing, confirming that Mudryk is contesting the "imposed period of ineligibility of four years."

The arbitration body stated that both parties are presently exchanging written submissions, though no hearing date has yet been set.

Neither the FA, Chelsea, nor the player's legal representatives have offered public comment on the matter.

The positive test emerged from a routine urine sample collected whilst Mudryk was representing Ukraine on international duty in November 2024, having featured in matches against Albania and Georgia.

The FA provisionally suspended the 25-year-old the following month after the sample returned an adverse finding.

Formal charges were subsequently brought against the winger in June 2025 following detailed analysis of the specimen.

Meldonium, the substance detected, is understood to enhance stamina and aid recovery.

The medication was administered abroad during a period when Mudryk was not fulfilling club obligations with Chelsea.

In a statement issued at the time of his provisional suspension, Mudryk expressed disbelief at the findings.

"This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened," he declared.

The winger further insisted: "I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon."

Chelsea conducted their own internal inquiry following the FA's investigation, with the club noting that Mudryk maintained he had never deliberately consumed prohibited substances.

Sixteen months after his initial suspension, the Ukrainian continues to protest his innocence.

Mudryk's final appearance in Chelsea colours came during a 2-0 Conference League victory against German outfit Heidenheim on 28 November 2024.

Since his suspension, the winger has been barred from training at the club's Cobham facilities.

He has instead maintained his fitness by working with personal trainers at alternative locations.

Chelsea have indicated they will permit the legal process to run its full course.

Should the original sanction be upheld, the suspension would likely be backdated to December 2024, keeping Mudryk sidelined until late 2028.

Those close to the player reportedly remain optimistic that the appeal could substantially reduce the punishment, citing Paul Pogba's successful reduction from four years to eighteen months.