Chelsea announce Mykhailo Mudryk return after anti-doping case ends

Chelsea have announced that Mykhailo Mudryk can return to training and competition after the Football Association ended proceedings in his anti-doping case, with the club offering its full support to the Ukraine international.

Mudryk had been given a four-year suspension after testing positive for a prohibited substance. He appealed against the decision, and the FA has now concluded the case, allowing him to return to football immediately.

Chelsea said the past period had been among the most difficult of Mudryk’s professional and personal life. The club added that it had supported him throughout the case while continuing to respect the anti-doping process and all legal procedures.

In a statement, Chelsea said changes made by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to the scientific standards used to analyse samples meant Mudryk’s test would not have been considered positive if it had been assessed under the current regulations.

The club said that, under those standards, the sample would not have resulted in an anti-doping rule violation.

Chelsea also said Mudryk had consistently maintained during the investigation that he had never knowingly or deliberately taken a prohibited substance. The player had also said he did not know how traces of the substance had entered his body.

The club praised Mudryk for the professionalism and resilience he had shown during what it described as an extremely difficult situation.

“Chelsea fully supports Mykhailo Mudryk following the conclusion of the proceedings by the Football Association and the permission for him to return to competition with immediate effect,” the club said.

“The past period has been one of the most difficult in Mykhailo’s career, both professionally and personally. The club has stood by him throughout the process, while fully respecting the anti-doping procedures and the legal path.”

Chelsea said its immediate priority was to reintegrate Mudryk into the squad, help him rebuild his fitness and support his return to competitive football. The club also reiterated its commitment to the highest standards of sporting integrity and compliance with anti-doping regulations.

Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 in a deal worth 70m euros.

After being informed that his sample had tested positive, Mudryk issued a statement in which he rejected any suggestion that he had intentionally breached the rules.

“I was informed that the sample I provided to the Football Association contained a prohibited substance.

“This came as a huge shock because I have never knowingly used any prohibited substances or broken the rules.

“I am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened.

“I know that I have done nothing wrong and remain hopeful that I will soon be back on the pitch.”

Mudryk is represented by Morgan Sports Law, the legal consultancy that also worked with Paul Pogba during the anti-doping case involving the former Juventus player.

Chelsea’s announcement opens the way for Mudryk to resume his football career after the lengthy proceedings, with the club now focusing on his physical preparation and eventual return to the team.