Mykhailo Mudryk can return to playing football immediately after his ban for failing a doping test was slashed by two-and-a-half years.
The Ukrainian, 25, was handed a four-year ban in December 2024 after being charged by the Football Association for failing the test. His last appearance came the previous month, in the Conference League away at Heidenheim.
But it can now be confirmed that Mudryk will be allowed to return, and he is set to join up with the Blues squad on their pre-season tour, most likely in Hong Kong after this weekend.
The decision comes after changes were made to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) technical document, meaning that if Mudryk’s sample was taken under the current rules, the concentration of meldonium in the sample would not have been high enough to constitute a failed test.
Mudryk posted on Instagram: ‘After a long battle, the four-year ban that was imposed on me has been rescinded and I am free to resume my career with immediate effect.
‘I am grateful that this process has reached a conclusion, that I have been cleared to return to football and that I can now look ahead to my future. This has been the most difficult period of my career.
Mykhailo Mudryk will return as Chelsea and WADA have agreed to end his four-year doping ban after 18 months
The winger pictured recently with his trainer as he prepares to take to the field again
‘As I have always maintained from the outset of this case, I have never knowingly or intentionally taken any banned substance. My commitment to competing fairly and representing my club and country with professionalism and integrity has always been important to me.
‘I would like to thank my family and friends for their support and belief throughout this period. I also want to express my deep gratitude to everyone at Chelsea FC, my teammates and the Chelsea supporters who have been with me throughout. I would also like to thank my legal team and others who assisted for their tireless work on my case.
‘My focus now is on returning to football, working hard every day, and making a positive contribution on the pitch. Thank you to everyone who continued to believe in me. I look forward to the next chapter of my career.’
Daily Mail Sport reported in December 2024 that the banned substance meldonium was believed to be behind Mudryk’s failed drug test.
The substance is the same drug that former Russian tennis star and multiple Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova previously used and a positive test resulted in her being banned for two years in 2016.
Sharapova had previously failed a drugs test at the Australian Open for using meldonium which is sold under the brand Mildronate and is a banned performance enhancing drug.
However, the Latvian scientist who invented the drug – Ivar Kalvins – has outlined that the drug was never to be used by athletes and was instead designed for ‘Soviet super soldiers’.
‘If the soldiers are to operate in the mountains, there’s a lack of oxygen. The way to protect against damage is by using Mildronate,’ he once told WIRED.
Mudryk has maintained his innocence throughout his ban and trained independently
The banned substance meldonium is believed to be behind the Ukrainian’s failed test in 2024
Tons of the substance were previously exported to the Russian army with the scientist also revealing that there were ‘very many who used it’.
Mudryk’s initial absence of five games in 2024 was explained as illness by the Stamford Bridge club, who later confirmed that ‘an adverse finding in a routine urine test’ was notified to them by the FA.
Mudryk has long maintained his innocence and has continued to train individually in the hope of returning. While banned from training with Chelsea, he has rented a pitch at semi-professional side Uxbridge FC.
The winger has largely maintained a low profile since his doping charge, only posting sporadic updates to his followers on social media.
Addressing his fans at New Year, the former Shahktar Donetsk winger urged them not to ‘give up’ on him.
‘Happy New Year to all my fans,’ Mudryk wrote. ‘I just wanted to say thank you for your support.
‘I see all your messages and truly appreciate them, so please don’t give up on me as I do not give up on myself. Can’t wait to see you soon.’
In a statement, Mudryk’s club said: ‘Chelsea FC acknowledges today’s announcement by the Football Association confirming the resolution of the anti-doping proceedings involving Mykhailo Mudryk.
He encouraged fans not to give up on him even when he had to train away from Chelsea
‘From the outset, this has been an extremely difficult period for Misha, both professionally and personally, and we are pleased that the matter has now reached a conclusion which allows him to return to football with immediate effect.
‘We have always supported Misha throughout this process while fully respecting the integrity of the anti-doping system and the legal process.
‘We welcome the acknowledgement that advances in the applicable scientific reporting standards for more reliable testing mean that, had Misha’s sample been analysed under today’s technical requirements, it would not have been reported as a positive test and no anti-doping rule violation would have resulted. That is an important part of the context surrounding the agreed resolution and allows everyone involved to move forward.
‘Misha has consistently maintained that he never knowingly or intentionally used a prohibited substance and did not know how traces of the substance entered his system. Throughout this process he has conducted himself professionally and with resilience during what has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging periods of his career.
‘We know how much this opportunity to return means to him. Our focus now is on supporting Misha’s reintegration into the squad and helping him resume his career.
‘Chelsea FC remains fully committed to the highest standards of sporting integrity and compliance with all anti-doping regulations. Everyone at the club now looks forward to helping Misha return to full fitness, back into the squad and back onto the pitch.’
