Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) after receiving a reported four-year playing ban from the Football Association (FA) for using a banned substance. The Ukrainian international has not played a competitive match since November 2024, when he failed a drug test while on international duty with Ukraine and was provisionally suspended.
Under the terms of the four-year ban, Mudryk would not be eligible for selection until December 2028. However, if his appeal to Cas is successful, the 25-year-old could potentially return to action next year. The appeal was submitted in February 2025, and Cas confirmed its receipt in a statement on Wednesday. “Cas confirms it has received an appeal by Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA,” the statement read. “The parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled.”
Details of the case have been kept confidential, with the FA declining to comment throughout the disciplinary process. Reports indicate that Mudryk received the maximum possible suspension after traces of meldonium—a substance that can enhance stamina—were found in his system. According to FA anti-doping policy regulation 77, a four-year ban applies if the violation involves a non-specified substance (unless unintentional) or a specified substance if intentional.
In a statement at the time of his suspension, Mudryk expressed shock, asserting he had “not done anything wrong.” Chelsea also stated that the player had “never knowingly used any banned substances.” Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 for a potential £89 million. He scored 10 goals in 73 appearances across all competitions but struggled to secure a regular starting spot before his suspension. Chelsea declined to comment, saying they must let the process take its course, while the FA also refrained from commenting on ongoing proceedings.
