Chelsea star gets four-year soccer ban

Mykhailo Mudryk has been dealt a major setback after the Football Association formally suspended him for four years following a positive doping test in December 2024. The ruling marks a significant turning point in the Ukrainian winger’s career, placing his immediate future in serious doubt.

Why was Mudryk given four-year ban?

The Chelsea player was charged by the FA with a doping offense after a prohibited substance was detected in a test conducted following a game involving the London club. Mudryk tested positive for meldonium, a banned substance known to potentially enhance endurance.

The player has opted to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which confirmed it received the Chelsea forward’s submission on February 25. Back in June, the English FA had already accused him of breaching anti-doping regulations “due to the alleged presence and/or use of a prohibited substance, in accordance with Articles 3 and 4 of the FA Anti-Doping Regulations.” That process has now culminated in one of the most severe sanctions possible.

Mudryk joined Chelsea in January 2023 in a deal worth around $75 million, with a further $32 million tied to performance-related bonuses. He has not featured since December 2024. During his time at Stamford Bridge, he made 73 appearances, scoring 20 goals and providing 11 assists.

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