Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against his four-year ban imposed by the FA.

The 25-year-old was discovered using banned medication while on international duty in October 2024. (Image credits – CommonsWikipedia, Licence Details)

Ukraine and Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against a four-year drug ban imposed on him for testing positive by the Football Association. The 25-year-old has been sidelined for almost two years now after he tested positive in a routine urine test which led to his suspension in 2024.

Mudryk’s last appearance for the Blues was against Heidenheim in the Conference League back in November 2024. He was charged on June 25 and was handed a massive four-year ban from playing professional football. The player has now appealed for his case to the highest legal authority in sport, the CAS. The FA has not disclosed the details of the case yet.

His ban will be backdated to the start of his provisional suspension in 2024, and he would return to action around December 2028. However, the player is hopeful that the CAS located in Switzerland would give the correct verdict so that he could return to action next season after the World Cup. He has no chance to return to action for his national side, as Ukraine failed to qualify for the 48-team World Cup.

CAS has accepted the case and released a statement that said, "CAS confirms it has received an appeal by Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA, filed on 25 February 2026. The Parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled.” (sic)

As per reports, the Ukrainian international had used a cardiovascular medication known as ‘meldonium’, which increases respiratory capacity and stamina. He used to consume this drug while he was on international duty with the Ukraine national team back in October 2024. Since failing the drug test, Mudryk has not played any competitive match since November 2024.

The 25-year-old joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk for a whopping £61 million in 2023 when he was one of the most exciting wingers in the world. All the big clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, were keen on signing the youngster, but the Blues had the last laugh.

When the lad was convicted and he was slapped with a provisional suspension, he seemed shocked and defended himself by saying that he had never knowingly used any banned drugs or broken any rules in football. The player is currently being defended in court by Morgan Sports Law, the same law firm which defended Paul Pogba in court when he failed his doping test while playing for Juventus and famous boxer Mike Tyson.

The winger is desperate to return to the field this year, and he has been training hard at non-league side Uxbridge with a hired coach. Mudryk hopes to be in full fitness whenever he returns to action from his ban. Chelsea haven't commented on Mudryk's issue yet, and the FA has clearly stated that they won't comment on their decision to ban the player for four years.