Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has escalated his legal battle against a football association drugs ban by taking his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), according to the BBC. The 25-year-old Ukrainian international has been sidelined for nearly 18 months following an "adverse finding in a routine urine test" that led to his provisional suspension in December 2024.
Appeal Filed to CAS
The FA charged Mudryk in June 2025, though it remains undisclosed whether the player has received a full ban or continues to serve a provisional suspension. "CAS confirms it has received an appeal by Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA, filed on February 25, 2026," the Switzerland-based court told BBC Sport. "The parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled."
Details of the Case
The BBC reports that Mudryk came into contact with the cardiovascular medication meldonium—a substance known to enhance respiratory capacity and stamina—while on duty with the Ukraine national team in October 2024. Meldonium is a banned substance under World Anti-Doping Agency rules. Mudryk, who joined Chelsea for an initial €70 million (£61 million) in January 2023, has not played a competitive match since November 2024.
In his only public statement, made when his provisional suspension began, Mudryk expressed "complete shock" and asserted that he had "never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules."
Legal Representation and Training Regimen
Mudryk is being represented by Morgan Sports Law, the firm that previously worked with former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba during his doping case while playing for Juventus, as well as boxer Tyson Fury and cyclist Chris Froome during their respective investigations. The player is understood to be eager to return to football this year and is maintaining his fitness by training at non-league Uxbridge FC with a private coach, having hired goalkeepers to work with him.
Chelsea declined to comment as they await the full resolution of the process, while the FA and Mudryk's lawyers have been contacted for further comment. The case highlights the ongoing challenges athletes face with anti-doping regulations and the potential impact on their careers.
