Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged with anti-doping rule violations by the Football Association (FA) following a provisional suspension that began in December 2024 after he failed a drug test. The substance found in his system was meldonium, which Mudryk claims was taken when he was not on Chelsea duty, specifically during matches with the Ukraine national team in Albania and Georgia in November 2024.
An FA spokesperson confirmed the charge, stating, “We can confirm that Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged with Anti-Doping Rule Violations alleging the presence and/or use of a prohibited substance, in terms of Regulations 3 and 4 of The FA’s Anti-Doping Regulations.” As this case is ongoing, no further comments will be made at this time.
The consequences for Mudryk could be severe, as he faces a potential ban of up to four years under FA regulations. In December, Mudryk expressed shock at the failed test and maintained that he had “not done anything wrong.” Chelsea is also conducting its own investigation, during which the 23-year-old has continuously insisted that he has never knowingly used banned substances.
Since joining Chelsea for £88.5 million from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, Mudryk’s journey has been marred by this controversy. His last appearance for Chelsea was in a 2-0 victory over Heidenheim in the Conference League on November 28. According to reports, Mudryk is working with the same legal team that represented Paul Pogba during his own anti-doping violation case, as he prepares to fight the charges against him.
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol remarked on the situation, noting that it’s a significant setback for Mudryk, who has remained steadfast in declaring his innocence. He added that the road ahead could be challenging for Mudryk as he focuses on clearing his name, contemplating what his future in football may look like in light of these serious allegations.
The hope remains that Mudryk will be able to navigate this difficult phase and return to the pitch, vindicated and ready to showcase his talent once again. As the legal process unfolds, supporters and the football community will be eager to see how this case develops and whether justice will prevail for the young winger.