Banned Aid - Mudryk Makes Appeal with CAS Over One of Football’s Longest-Ever Bans

Mudryk Appeals Record-Setting Football Ban

Chelsea and Ukraine forward Mykhailo Mudryk has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after receiving a four-year playing ban from the Football Association (FA) for using a banned substance.

Mudryk has not played a competitive match since November 2024 after failing a drug test when on international duty with Ukraine, and got underway with a provisional suspension. Under the terms of a four-year ban, he would not be eligible for selection again until December 2028, but a successful CAS appeal could see the 25-year-old return by next year.

🚨🇺🇦 The FA ban Chelsea winger Mykhaylo Mudryk for four years for an anti-doping offence.

Mudryk has appealed to CAS against this decision with process ongoing, as @JacobsBen reports.

4 years would be the maximum punishment possible, if confirmed. pic.twitter.com/rVFdJHsaMK

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 29, 2026

It is believed that the appeal was submitted back in February against Mudryk's ban, which was confirmed by CAS in a statement on Wednesday afternoon:

“Cas confirms it has received an appeal by Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA. The parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled.”

Why has Mudryk Been Banned?

Specific details surrounding the case have been kept in secrecy from the interested public, and the FA have refused to comment throughout the entire disciplinary process. However, it has been reported that Mudryk has been handed the maximum possible suspension owing to doping after traces of meldonium - a drug that can improve one's stamina - were found in his system following the test.

Under regulation 77 of the FA's anti-doping policy, a four-year ban would be applicable if the apparent violation was relevant to a non-specificed substance, unless the usage of the substance could be proven to be un-intentional, or instead or if the substance was specified and the FA are able to prove that the violation was on purpose.

🔸 Signed for €100M.
🔸 Handed a 7-year deal worth £100,000 per week.
🔸 Hasn’t played in the last 2 years.
🔸 Now banned for 4 years.
🔸 Will still have 1 year left on his Chelsea contract after the ban ends.

Mykhailo Mudryk is without doubt the WORST signing in Premier League… pic.twitter.com/NcVi2WXOdr

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 30, 2026

A statement from Mudryk and his camp at the time of his suspension said that the positive test for substances had come as "a complete shock" and that he had "not done anything wrong,", before Chelsea themselves added that Mudryk has "never knowingly used any banned substances."

Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 in a potential £89m move. He has scored 10 goals in 73 appearances in all competitions but rarely held down a regular place in the team before his provisional suspension.

Mudryk had joined Chelsea from Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 in a move that could have risen up to £89m. He netted just 10 goals in 73 appearances in all competitions for the club before his provisional ban almost two years later, and was struggling to hold down a regular starting place for the Blues.

Neither Chelsea or the FA have provided any comment on the ongoing situation with Mudryk, with Chelsea only stating that they had to let the process run it's course whilst the FA state that they will not comment on an ongoing proceeding.