Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk cleared to play football again

After more than 20 months on the sidelines following a provisional doping suspension, Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to return to football with immediate effect.

The 25-year-old was suspended for four years for failing a drug test, which revealed the presence of a low concentration of meldonium, a prohibited substance, two years ago.

The Ukrainian international appealed the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, in the meantime, revisions to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) procedures mean that an identical test result today would not have triggered disciplinary proceedings.

Confirming the Chelsea forward’s eligibility to resume his career, the FA issued a statement acknowledging the outcome of the appeal and clearing him to return to action with the club.

The FA said: “Changes have been made… which, while not retroactive, mean that if Mr Mudryk’s sample was collected today, the concentration of meldonium in the sample would not have been reported and no anti-doping rule violations would have resulted.

“Further to that development and to other circumstances of the case, the FA and Mr Mudryk have now – with the agreement of WADA – resolved the appeal proceedings.

“As a part of the agreement, Mr Mudryk accepted that he had committed the ADRVs (Anti-Doping Rule Violations) charged and acceded to a period of ineligibility equal to the time served at the date of the agreement.

“Mr Mudryk is no longer ineligible and may return to competition with immediate effect.”

The Blues signed Mudryk for £88 million from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, and has since recorded 73 appearances, and scored 9 goals for the West London club.

Responding to the resolution of his ban, Chelsea said: “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.”

The Ukraine forward also released a statement in which he said his two years away from football have “been the most difficult period of my career” and that he was “grateful” to be able to return.