Former Arsenal target and Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk is appealing a four-year doping ban, the Court of Arbitration for Sport have confirmed.
The BBC report that Mykhailo Mudryk was issued a four-year ban by the Football Association in January, but only a small group of people around the player were informed.
The FA’s anti-doping programme is confidential, so the outcome only became public knowledge when Mudryk appealed against the result to CAS.
The BBC add that they understand the substance that Mudryk tested positive for was the cardiovascular medication meldonium, which has the potential to increase respiratory capcity and stamina.
Mudryk apparently came into contact with the substance on international duty with Ukraine, though Ukranian FA spokespeople have denied any involvement from their staff.
If the ban is upheld by CAS, Mudryk would be banned until the end of 2028, as his provisional suspension began in December 2024. But the BBC report that sources close to the player believe the ban will be reduced and he’ll be back in action next season.
Chelsea still have Mudryk under contract until 2031, but they’ll be able to terminate it for breach of his employment terms once the CAS process ends.
Chelsea would also have the option to sell Mudryk or reintegrate him, depending on what they decide they want to do. The player remains in London, but he’s not allowed to train with Chelsea at this stage, so he’s training privately.
Given Mudryk’s appeal was lodged in February, and past CAS doping appeal cases like Paul Pogba’s have taken around six months to reach a final decision, it’s unlikely there will be significant further developments until this autumn.
Arsenal had pushed to sign Mudryk in 2023, before his eventual move to Chelsea. The player then made 73 appearances for the Blues, scoring 10 goals and assisting a further nine.
The 23-year-old was yet to get off the mark for Chelsea in seven Premier League matches in 2024/25, his most recent active season with the club.
But he had eight goals and assists in eight games between the Conference League, Conference League qualifiers, and the League Cup, so he was still contributing.
Chelsea fans will now await the result of Mudryk’s appeal, whilst Arsenal fans will likely view that 2023 transfer saga as a bullet dodged.
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