Chelsea winger appeals four-year doping ban

Chelsea FC winger Mykhailo Mudryk has appealed against the four-year doping ban handed to him by the Football Association, taking his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). 

The 25-year-old has been out of action for almost 18 months after failing a routine urine test in December 2024, which resulted in a provisional suspension.

Mudryk was officially charged in June 2025 before later receiving the maximum four-year suspension from the FA. 

Although the governing body has not publicly disclosed full details of the case, the ban was expected to keep the Ukraine international sidelined until around December 2028 because such punishments are usually backdated to the start of a provisional suspension.

CAS confirmed that an appeal was submitted by Mudryk on 25 February 2026 and said both parties are currently exchanging written submissions ahead of a hearing that is yet to be scheduled. 

Sources close to the player remain optimistic that the appeal could reduce the punishment significantly and potentially allow him to return to football as early as next season.

The substance involved in the case is meldonium, a cardiovascular medication that can improve stamina and respiratory capacity. 

Reports suggest Mudryk may have come into contact with the banned substance while on international duty with the Ukraine national football team in October 2024. 

When news of his provisional suspension first emerged, Mudryk said he was in “complete shock” and insisted he had “never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules”.

Mudryk is being represented by Morgan Sports Law, the legal team that previously handled high-profile doping cases involving Paul Pogba, Tyson Fury, and Chris Froome. 

The former Shakhtar Donetsk star is reportedly eager to resume his career and has been maintaining his fitness by training with non-league side Uxbridge FC alongside a private coach.

Mudryk joined Chelsea in January 2023 from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth an initial €70 million (£61 million). 

His last competitive appearance for the club came in a UEFA Conference League match against 1. FC Heidenheim in November 2024. 

Chelsea declined to comment on the ongoing case, while the FA also said it could not discuss matters that remain under legal review.