Mykhailo Mudryk is ready to play football again immediately – after being handed the harshest punishment in Premier League history. Now the FA has confirmed that the matter has been resolved.
Ukrainian Mudryk was suspended by the FA in December 2024 after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium. In April 2026, it became clear that he had been sentenced to four years – the longest in Premier League history.
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Mudryk appealed the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and engaged Morgan Sports Law, which has previously represented Paul Pogba and boxer Tyson Fury.
Following changes to WADA’s technical document, the 25-year-old is now free to resume his career.
The changes make the difference
Mudryk has admitted to a violation of the doping rules and is still guilty – but the parties have reached an agreement. The changes in WADA’s technical document mean that if the sample from Mudryk had been taken today, the meldonium concentration would not have been reported – and thus would not have triggered a breach.
Now he travels with Chelsea to Hong Kong for pre-season.
FA confirms the settlement
The FA writes in a statement:
They further explain:
Chelsea: “Focus on reintegrating Misha”
Chelsea also issued a statement:
73 games since the giant transfer
Mudryk has not played a competitive match since the 2-0 win over Heidenheim in the Conference League on November 28, 2024. When then manager Enzo Maresca first explained the absence with illness – before the FA suspension was announced.
He has trained at the non-league club Uxbridge FC’s facility during the period. Mudryk is under contract with Chelsea until 2031, and has made 73 appearances since his transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 – worth £88.5 million.
Now he is finally back.
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