Mykhailo Mudryk releases statement as Chelsea star cleared to play after doping ban lifted

Mykhailo Mudryk is available to play again (Picture: AP)

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk is available to play again after his doping ban was resolved by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Football Association.

Mudryk, 25, has not represented Chelsea since November 2024 following a suspension for an adverse finding in a urine sample.

The sample produced an adverse finding for the prohibited substance meldonium, which can increase respiratory capacity and stamina.

The Ukrainian international said that the failed drugs test came as a ‘complete shock’ as he had never knowingly used a banned substance, but was dealt four-year ban for the offence.

Mudryk subsequently appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), who have now ruled he can return to competition ‘with immediate effect’ after he accepted breaking anti-doping rules and agreed to a suspension equal to the time already served.

The FA also confirmed that changes to Wada’s scientific guidance have meant that if Mudryk’s sample was taken today, he would not have committed an anti-doping violation.

An agreement has now been reached between the FA, Wada and Mudryk to resolve the case, with Mudryk now expected to join Xabi Alonso’s team on their pre-season tour.

Mudryk last played for Chelsea in November 2024 (Picture: Getty)

In a statement confirming the news, the Chelsea winger said: ‘After a long battle, the four-year ban that was imposed on me has been rescinded and I am free to resume my career with immediate effect.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. 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.

Mudryk will join Chelsea and new boss Xabi Alonso on their pre-season tour in Australia (Picture: Getty)

‘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.’

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In a separate statement on the club’s website, Chelsea added: ‘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.