Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk’s long-running doping case has reached a critical juncture after the player reportedly filed an official appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The 25-year-old Ukrainian international has been sidelined since November 2024 following a positive test for the prohibited substance meldonium.
Mudryk has spent nearly 18 months in professional limbo, with his career effectively on hold while the legal process continues.
Mykhailo Mudryk facing four-year ban
The situation began in December 2024, when the FA issued a provisional suspension after a routine urine test flagged an 'adverse finding' during his time on international duty.
This was followed by an official charge in June 2025 for Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRV), alleging the use of a prohibited substance.
Despite the ongoing ban, which could last up to four years if the original verdict is upheld, Chelsea have reportedly registered an updated contract for the player this month, revealed in the FA's annual intermediary transactions disclosure.
This move has prompted significant speculation regarding the club's long-term intentions for a player who cost an initial £88.5 million.
In June 2025, ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, Mudryk’s No. 10 shirt was officially handed to Cole Palmer. Since then, the winger has been pictured training alone at the facilities of non-league side Uxbridge FC to maintain his fitness.
Recent reports confirm the case has now been sent to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and while written submissions have been exchanged between the FA and Mudryk’s legal team, a final hearing date is yet to be scheduled.
A spokesperson for the FA previously stated: "As this is an ongoing case, we are not in a position to comment further at this time."
If Mudryk fails with his appeal, the maximum sentence remains a four-year ban, which would keep him out of professional football until late 2028.
The substance Mudryk is alleged to have tested positive for, meldonium, is a medication banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2016.
It has been known to be used in Eastern European countries to treat heart conditions and cannot be prescribed or purchased in the United Kingdom.
Clinically speaking, meldonium allows blood to be moved around the body more quickly, increasing the body's ability to carry oxygen to the muscles and organs.
Therefore, the obvious athletic benefit is that it can give competitors better stamina, increased endurance, allowing them to benefit from a greater overall performance.
🚨 Exclusive: The FA have handed Mykhailo Mudryk a four-year ban. Now being appealed in CAS. https://t.co/dvo8sKjK65April 29, 2026
