Mykhailo Mudryk set to return to Chelsea after doping ban lifted by FA
The FA has officially lifted it’s ban on Chelsea midfielder Mykhailo Mudryk who was suspended after failing a doping test back in December of 2024.
This summer has been one of new faces, big signings and revolutionary developments at Stamford Bridge, but the latest news out of Chelsea doesn’t concern a big signing or a new face. It’s a familiar name that has been cleared for a comeback after a doping ban that kept him out of the game for nearly two years.
Two years in the waiting
On Friday, the FA announced that they would be lifting the ban they handed Mykhailo Mudryk back in December of 2024. Due to changes in WADA guidelines, the Ukrainian winger had been cleared for a comeback.
The FA released a statement after the agreement was made yesterday, July 30th. “The FA can confirm that the anti-doping disciplinary proceedings against Mykhailo Mudryk were resolved with the agreement of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on 30 July 2026. In the context of that agreement, Mr Mudryk has accepted his commission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) and accepted a period of ineligibility,” stated the English Football Association.
The 25 year old hasn’t played a game since late November of 2024. He was one of the promising young talents that Chelsea took a gamble on in 2023 when he was signed from Shakhtar Donetsk. He had a his best campaign in the 2023/24 season, scoring five goals and giving two assists before getting suspended after playing seven matches of the 2024/25 campaign.
New Chelsea for familiar face
Chelsea released a statement following the decision starting off by saying, “From the outset, this has been an extremely difficult period for Misha, both professionally and personally, and we are pleased that the matter has now reached a conclusion which allows him to return to football with immediate effect. We have always supported Misha throughout this process while fully respecting the integrity of the anit-doping system and the legal process.”
🗣️ Chelsea full statement on Mykhailo Mudryk. "Chelsea FC acknowledges today's announcement by The Football Association confirming the resolution of the anti-doping proceedings involving Mykhailo Mudryk.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 31, 2026
"From the outset, this has been an extremely difficult period for Misha,… https://t.co/hI5EKsyL1E
The unfortunate thing, in the mind of the club and for the player is the fact that if the test that Mudryk failed two years ago was administered today, according to Chelsea there would not have been a punishment, nor a failed test. “Had Misha’s sample been analysed under today’s technical requirements, it would not have been reported as a positive test and no anti-doping rule violation would have resulted,” continued Chelsea FC in their official statement after the ruling.
The Ukranian will be joining a completely revamped Chelsea side after a tumultuous last campaign. Enzo Maresca left the club in January, and their home grown project Liam Rosenior ended in disaster. Now it’s Xabi Alonso who is on the touchline. We will see what kind of plans he has for the Ukrainian winger.
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