LONDON — Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been formally charged by the Football Association (FA) for violating anti-doping regulations, following a failed drugs test that could see him suspended from football for up to four years.
The FA confirmed on Wednesday that the 24-year-old Ukraine international was found to have “the presence and/or use of a prohibited substance” in his system during a routine urine test conducted in December 2024.
“We can confirm that Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged with anti-doping rule violations,” the FA stated, citing breaches of regulations three and four of its anti-doping code. “As this is an ongoing case, we are not in a position to comment further at this time.”
Mudryk has not featured for Chelsea since November 28 and has been under a provisional suspension since the initial “adverse finding.” Reports suggest the substance found was meldonium, a performance-enhancing drug banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Reacting to the test result at the time, Mudryk insisted he had “never knowingly used any banned substances” and said he was in “complete shock.” Chelsea also opened their own internal investigation and had been awaiting the outcome of the ‘B’ sample analysis.
Mudryk, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 in a high-profile deal, has endured a difficult spell at Stamford Bridge. His form has been inconsistent, with just 10 goals in 73 appearances across all competitions, and he made only one Premier League start last season.
Signs of a distancing between the club and the player emerged earlier this month when his number 10 shirt was reassigned to Cole Palmer for the upcoming season, leaving Mudryk without a squad number.
The winger’s positive test reportedly came shortly after returning from international duty with Ukraine in November. At the time, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca had attributed Mudryk’s absence from four straight matches to an unspecified illness.
Mudryk’s case will now be reviewed by the appropriate disciplinary panels, and if found guilty, he could face a ban ranging from months to a maximum of four years, depending on the findings and whether the violation is deemed intentional.
