Mykhailo Mudryk has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against a four-year drugs ban imposed by the Football Association. He aims to return to football before the expected December 2028 eligibility date.
Mudryk has been sidelined for nearly 18 months following an adverse finding in a routine urine test. He was provisionally suspended in December 2024 after failing a drug test while on international duty.
In June 2025, he received a maximum four-year ban from the FA. The appeal was submitted on February 25, 2026. Mudryk tested positive for the prohibited substance meldonium.
He joined Chelsea FC in January 2023 for an initial fee of £88 million from Shakhtar Donetsk. Since November 2024, Mudryk has not played a competitive match.
If his appeal fails, he would remain ineligible until December 2028. Mudryk maintains his innocence and insists he has “never knowingly used any banned substances.” He has been training with a private coach during his suspension.
Chelsea FC has declined to comment on the ongoing case. The FA has not disclosed further details and also refused to comment.
Mudryk described his “complete shock” at the positive test result and reiterated that he had “not done anything wrong.” The next ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport is anticipated soon.