Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk Handed Four-Year Doping Ban; Appeals Decision

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has officially lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after being hit with a maximum four-year ban for a doping violation. 

The Ukraine international has been out of action for nearly 18 months following an adverse finding in a routine test, a situation that sent shock waves through Stamford Bridge.

The Football Association has handed Mudryk a four-year suspension, the maximum penalty available, following a long-running investigation into a failed drugs test.

The 25-year-old was initially sidelined in December 2024 after an "adverse finding in a routine urine test" led to a provisional suspension, and he was officially charged in June 2025.

While the FA has remained tight-lipped regarding the specific details of the case throughout the process, the severity of the sanction has now been confirmed.

Under current rules, the ban is expected to be backdated to the start of his provisional absence, which would effectively prevent the former Shakhtar Donetsk winger from returning to professional football until December 2028.

(AFP)

In a bid to salvage his career, Mudryk has taken his case to the highest legal authority in sport. 

A spokesperson for CAS spoke to BBC Sport to confirm the receipt of the appeal, stating: "CAS confirms it has received an appeal by Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA, filed on 25 February 2026. The Parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled."

The controversy is understood to center around meldonium, a cardiovascular medication that can aid respiratory capacity and stamina. 

It is reported that Mudryk came into contact with the substance while on international duty with Ukraine in October 2024. 

Sources