EPL: Mudryk moves to overturn four-year doping ban at CAS

Mykhailo Mudryk, a winger for Chelsea F.C., has taken his battle against a four-year doping ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a last attempt to get back on the pitch.

The 25-year-old has been out of competitive action since November 2024, after what was described as an “adverse finding in a routine urine test” triggered a provisional suspension in December of that year.

In June 2025, the The Football Association formally charged the Ukrainian international and later imposed the maximum four-year ban. However, the FA has not made public the full details surrounding the case.

Mudryk’s appeal to CAS is now seen as a crucial step that could determine whether his football career can be revived or remain on hold for the duration of the ban.

In such cases, bans are typically backdated to the start of the provisional suspension, meaning his current return date would be around December 2028.

However, an appeal has now been lodged with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland, with sources close to the player hopeful he could return to action as early as next season.

In a statement to BBC Sport on Wednesday, CAS said, “CAS confirms it has received an appeal by Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA, filed on 25 February 2026. The Parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled.”

The BBC understands Mudryk came into contact with the cardiovascular medication meldonium, which can increase respiratory capacity and stamina, while on duty with the Ukraine national team in October 2024.

Mudryk, who joined Chelsea for an initial 70m euros (£61m) in January 2023, has not played a competitive match since November 2024.

In his only public statement when his provisional suspension began, Mudryk described his “complete shock” and said he had “never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules”.

Mudryk is being defended by Morgan Sports Law, the firm that worked with former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba during his doping case while playing for Juventus, as well as boxer Tyson Fury and cyclist Chris Froome during their respective investigations.

He is understood to want to return to playing football this year and is keeping fit by training at non-league Uxbridge FC with a private coach and having hired goalkeepers to work with.

Chelsea declined to comment as they wait for the process to take its full course and the FA said it is unable to comment on an ongoing case.

Mudryk’s legal team has also been contacted for comment.

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