Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk appeals Football Association drugs ban to Court of Arbitration for Sport
The 25-year-old Ukraine international alleges inadvertent contact with meldonium while on duty with the national team and is currently training at non-league Uxbridge FC
Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has formally lodged an appeal against a Football Association drugs ban with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The filing was submitted on 25 February 2026, marking the next procedural step in a dispute that has kept the 25-year-old Ukraine international sidelined since November 2024.
According to the CAS, which confirmed receipt of the appeal, the parties are currently exchanging written submissions while a hearing date remains to be scheduled. The Football Association originally charged Mudryk in June 2025 following an adverse finding in a routine urine test, though it has not publicly clarified whether the player has received a full ban or remains under his provisional suspension.
In his defence, Mudryk alleges that he came into contact with the banned substance meldonium while on duty with the Ukraine national team in October 2024. The cardiovascular medication, known to increase respiratory capacity and stamina, was reportedly ingested inadvertently. Mudryk maintains that he never knowingly used banned substances or broken any rules, describing his initial reaction to the provisional suspension as one of complete shock.
Represented by Morgan Sports Law, a firm with a history of handling high-profile doping investigations including those of Paul Pogba, Tyson Fury and Chris Froome, Mudryk is seeking to overturn the FA's decision. The legal team has been in contact with the court and the FA, while Chelsea has declined to comment on the situation as the process runs its course.
While awaiting the outcome of the arbitration, Mudryk has been maintaining his fitness through training at non-league Uxbridge FC. He is working with a private coach and has hired goalkeepers to assist in his preparation, hoping to return to competitive football this year once the legal proceedings conclude.
The case highlights the ongoing complexities of anti-doping regulations at the elite level, particularly regarding substances like meldonium which may be encountered in non-competitive settings. As the CAS reviews the written submissions, the focus remains on whether the allegation of inadvertent contact will be sufficient to overturn the FA's original charge.
