Mudryk banned from football for 4 years: when he will return to the field

Ukrainian midfielder Mykhailo Mudryk has been disqualified for four years for violating anti-doping rules. At the same time, his side is already appealing this decision in international arbitration. This is reported by British journalist Ben Jacobs.

Why Mudryk was disqualified and what is known about the case

The decision was made by the Football Association of England after reviewing the doping case. A banned substance meldonium was found in the player's blood — a substance prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency since 2016.

Key facts:

• The scandal broke out in December 2024;
• The substance was found after matches of the Ukrainian national team against Georgia and Albania;
• In 2025, the B sample confirmed the result;
• The footballer denies deliberate use.

The maximum penalty for such violations is four years.

When Mudryk will be able to return to the field and what the court will decide

The player's side has filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The case is currently at the stage of written explanations, and the date of the hearing has not yet been determined.

Possible options:

• If the decision is not changed — the ban will last until 2028;
• If it is proven to be unintentional — the sentence may be reduced.

At the time of the decision, the footballer had already been off the field for almost a year and a half. His last match was on November 28, 2024, for Chelsea against «Heidenheim» in the Conference League, where he scored a goal.

In total, he played for the London club:

• 73 matches;
• 10 goals;
• 11 assists.

The player's further career will depend on the arbitration's decision.

🚨 More on Mykhailo Mudryk exclusive. The FA has banned the Chelsea winger for four years for an anti-doping offence, the maximum punishment.

Mudryk went to CAS, filing documents on 25 February, 2026.

CAS confirm the Ukrainian is now appealing against the "imposed period of… pic.twitter.com/LzYsOzxWLt

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) April 29, 2026

It should be noted that Shakhtar risks losing 30 million euros due to Mudryk's doping.