In December 2024, Mykhailo Mudryk was suspended by Chelsea after being found to be banned after testing for urine. The Ukrainian star said he had never intentionally used any banned substances. Mudryk has been working with his team to investigate what led to the incident.
If Mudryk is confirmed to be doping, the 24-year-old star will be banned from playing for up to 4 years. If his serving time is reduced, Mudryk could be banned for 2 years.
An FA statement reads: We confirm that Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged with violating the anti-doping law with allegations of using or using banned substances, under Articles 3 and 4 of the Anti-Doping Regulations issued by the FA. The FA cannot comment further at this time as the incident is still ongoing.
Due to his suspension, Mykahilo Mudryk is not in the Chelsea squad for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the US. Mudryk's number 10 has been transferred to Cole Palmer and he will likely be terminated by the Blues if found guilty.
The incident originated during the FIFA Days in November 2024 when Mudryk went to train with the Ukrainian team. He was later found to be positive for meldonium, a substance that had caught Maria Sharapova in a scandal in 2016. The Russian tennis player was initially banned from playing for 2 years but later reduced to 15 months.
Meldonium is a local anemia drug and is not approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, it is prescribed in some parts of Eastern Europe. According to the USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency), meldonium is often used clinically to treat "people with heart conditions, such as low blood flow to the heart and angina". For athletes, it can support endurance and recovery after exercise.
Mykhailo Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk for £62 million in January 2023. After 73 appearances, he has only scored 10 goals. The striker last played for Chelsea in the Conference League match against Heidenheim on 28 November 2024. In that match, he scored.
Chelsea's statement on December 17, 2024 said Mudryk had confirmed that he had never intentionally used any banned substances. Since then, the Stamford Bridge team has rarely mentioned Mudryk. Recently, the Ukrainian striker was spotted when he went to the US to cheer for his teammates at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
If he is given a 4-year ban, Mudryk's career in England will be considered over. He may have to return to his hometown to start over. Before moving to Chelsea, Mudryk was considered a very prominent attacking star, sought after by many teams in Europe. However, after this long slide, he may immediately forget.
