Mykhailo Mudryk's Doping Case: Current Status and Implications
Mykhailo Mudryk is currently suspended and unable to play for Chelsea or the Ukraine national team following doping charges from the Football Association. What is unfolding behind the scenes?
The 24-year-old winger was provisionally suspended in December 2024 after a urine test returned a positive result for a banned substance. He was formally charged in June 2025.
The FA's investigation is still ongoing, and the timeline for a resolution, as well as any potential penalties, remains uncertain. Doping cases do not have a defined timeframe and can take as long as necessary to review all evidence thoroughly.
Mudryk's legal defense is being handled by Morgan Sports Law, the same firm that represented former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba during his doping case while at Juventus, as well as boxer Tyson Fury and cyclist Chris Froome during their respective investigations.
BBC Sport has conducted a detailed examination of Mudryk's situation, reaching out to sources in both Ukraine and London to gather insights about his current circumstances and the ongoing developments.
How Did Mudryk's Positive Doping Test Result Occur?
Following the announcement of his positive test, Mudryk expressed his shock on Instagram, stating, "This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and I am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened. I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon."
His legal team and close associates assert that he did not knowingly consume any banned substances, and multiple sources indicate that he has passed an unverified lie detector test supporting his claim.
Reports suggest that Mudryk may have come into contact with meldonium, a cardiovascular medication known to enhance respiratory capacity and stamina, during his time with the Ukraine national team. When approached for verification, the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) did not deny the claim but emphasized that none of their staff were involved.
"UAF officials cannot comment on this matter, since the UAF is not a part of this case," the association informed BBC Sport. "The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) or the English FA did not send any request to the UAF. We are in close contact with Mudryk's lawyers and provide them with all necessary information. We cannot comment further due to a non-disclosure provision in effect. No UAF official, staff, doctors, or coach were involved."
UAF President and former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko has not visited Mudryk, despite maintaining a residence in London.
The exact circumstances under which Mudryk allegedly ingested meldonium, a substance banned by WADA since 2016, remain unclear. Meldonium is primarily used in Eastern European countries to treat conditions like angina, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. Notably, 13 medallists tested positive for the substance during the 2015 European Games in Baku, and Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova also failed a drugs test in March 2016 due to meldonium.
What is the Sentiment Regarding Mudryk's Case in Ukraine?
During the recent international break, Ukraine's national team suffered a home defeat to France and a draw against Azerbaijan, putting their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup at risk. Mudryk's absence has led to frustration and concern among fans and officials.
His former club, Shakhtar Donetsk, stands to lose approximately €30 million (£26 million) in potential transfer add-ons agreed upon with Chelsea when they sold him for an initial €70 million (£61 million) in January 2023. However, Shakhtar's CEO Sergei Palkin dismissed reports of the club considering legal action against the UAF over potential lost earnings, stating, "When we speak about Mudryk, we don’t think about the money; we speak about the human being."
Sporting Director Dario Srna echoed this sentiment, saying, "We feel so sorry for him. We know he is 100% innocent - he will show that. We support him like an ex-player, a human being, and a friend. We don’t think the money is important."
Palkin further commented, "From time to time, I’ve spoken with Mudryk on the phone, and we’ve even met a couple of times in London. We maintain contact because he is our academy graduate and a high-profile player. Our relationship has always been good, and I felt it was important to support him morally during this period. I honestly have no idea how this [positive test] could have happened. Based on the information available to me, I simply cannot understand the circumstances that led to it. This situation affects the image of Ukraine and Ukrainian football as a whole. That’s why, if there is any opportunity to help him, we must do so."
Where is Mudryk and What is He Doing?
Mudryk last made a public appearance after Chelsea's 4-1 UEFA Conference League final victory over Real Betis, which he attended privately. He was seen interacting with supporters in Wroclaw, Poland, and was present at Chelsea's celebration party at the team hotel.
Since then, he has remained in London, unable to participate in matches or train with his teammates. A devout Orthodox Christian, Mudryk regularly attends church, and those close to him affirm that he is in good physical and mental health. He is training independently with a private coach at off-site facilities, and his camp is optimistic that he is doing everything possible to maintain his fitness during this challenging time.
Chelsea is monitoring his progress, but the terms of his suspension severely limit his access to the club, its facilities, and his teammates. Mudryk's last match for Chelsea was on November 28, 2024, and he was an unused substitute in a league match three days later against Aston Villa. The club is expected to refrain from commenting until the case reaches a conclusion.
What Happens Next?
If Mudryk is found to have violated doping regulations, he could face a ban of up to four years. The FA handles all doping cases confidentially, meaning there is little information available regarding the current status of his case or its potential outcome.