Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to return to competitive football with immediate effect, bringing an end to a ban that kept him off the pitch for more than 20 months.

The 25-year-old had been suspended for four years after failing a drug test in late 2024 that detected a low concentration of meldonium — a prohibited substance — in his system. He had not featured for Chelsea since November 2024.

How the case was resolved

Mudryk challenged the ban by filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). While that appeal was ongoing, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) updated its testing procedures — changes that, although not applied retroactively, mean the same sample would not have triggered a violation under current standards.

The FA confirmed the resolution in a statement: "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."

The FA added that all parties — including WADA — had agreed to settle the appeal proceedings. As part of that agreement, Mudryk accepted that he had committed the anti-doping rule violations charged, but his period of ineligibility was reduced to the time already served.

"Mr Mudryk is no longer ineligible and may return to competition with immediate effect." — The FA

Chelsea welcome the outcome

Chelsea, who signed Mudryk for £88 million from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, expressed relief at the outcome. The club's statement highlighted the role of evolving scientific standards in shaping the resolution.

"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," Chelsea said. "That is an important part of the context surrounding the agreed resolution and allows everyone involved to move forward."

Mudryk's return comes as Chelsea prepare for the new season, handing the club a significant boost ahead of their upcoming fixtures.