Chelsea and Ukraine international winger Mykhailo Mudryk has officially been charged by the Football Association (FA) for breaching anti-doping regulations, following the detection of a banned substance during a routine drugs test last year.
The 24-year-old, who last featured for Chelsea on November 28, 2024, has been under provisional suspension since December after what the FA described as an “adverse finding in a routine urine test.” The case has now progressed, with the FA confirming a formal charge related to the use and/or presence of a prohibited substance.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the FA said: “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 three and four of the FA’s anti-doping regulations. As this is an ongoing case, we are not in a position to comment further at this time.”
Though the FA did not name the specific substance, reports indicate that Mudryk’s positive test involved meldonium, a drug previously at the center of high-profile doping cases in sport. Meldonium is believed to enhance endurance and recovery, and has been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since 2016.
Mudryk, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 in a deal worth around £88.5 million, has maintained his innocence since the issue came to light. At the time of his suspension, the winger expressed his dismay, stating he was in “complete shock” and insisting he had “never knowingly used any banned substances.”
Chelsea responded to the initial findings by launching their own internal investigation. The club had reportedly been waiting for the results of Mudryk’s ‘B’ sample to either confirm or overturn the original ‘A’ sample’s outcome. As the charge is now official, it appears the second sample supported the initial findings.
Should Mudryk be found guilty under FA anti-doping rules, he could face a ban of up to four years from professional football. The final decision will depend on the outcome of the disciplinary process, which may involve hearings, further investigations, and potential appeals.
The charge is a major blow to both Chelsea and Mudryk, who had been working to settle into the Premier League following a highly publicized transfer. His time at Stamford Bridge has already been marked by inconsistent performances, and now, his career faces a possible long-term setback.
What You Should Know
Mykhailo Mudryk has been officially charged by the FA for violating anti-doping rules after testing positive for a banned substance, reportedly meldonium. The Chelsea winger has been suspended since December and could face up to a four-year ban if found guilty.
