Chelsea winger Mudryk cleared to play after doping ban resolved

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to return to competitive football with immediate effect after the Football Association and World Anti-Doping Agency resolved his doping case on 30 July 2026.

Mudryk, 25, has not played since November 2024 following a provisional suspension after an out-of-competition test on international duty with Ukraine in October 2024 revealed a low concentration of meldonium, a prohibited cardiovascular medication. The FA imposed a four-year ban in January 2026, which Mudryk appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in April 2026.

The case was resolved after the World Anti-Doping Agency revised its technical document for meldonium detection. Under the revised standards, the concentration found in Mudryk's sample would not be reported as a violation if tested today. While these changes are not retroactive, the FA cited this development and "other circumstances of the case" as grounds for resolution. Mudryk accepted that he committed the anti-doping rule violations and agreed to a period of ineligibility equal to the time already served—approximately 20 months from December 2024.

Mudryk maintained throughout the proceedings that he "never knowingly or intentionally" took a banned substance. Chelsea stated they were "pleased" the matter had reached a conclusion and that Mudryk would rejoin the squad's pre-season tour. The winger is contracted to Chelsea until 2031 after joining from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 for €70 million plus performance bonuses.

Upon return, Mudryk faces increased competition for the left-wing position, with new signings and emerging players having established themselves during his absence.