Mykhailo Mudryk issues statement as Chelsea star has doping ban lifted after 20 months

The Ukrainian has not featured for the Blues since November 2024, when he featured in a 2-0 Conference League defeat of Heidenheim, when he was provisionally suspended after a routine doping test turned up an adverse finding. Mudryk maintained his innocence throughout proceedings.After 20 months on the sidelines, though, Chelsea and the FA have confirmed he is once again eligible to play.An FA statement read: “Changes have been made to WADA Technical Document (TD2027MRL) which, while not retroactive, mean that if Mr Mudryk’s sample was collected today, the concentration of meldonium in the sample would not have been reported and no ADRVs (Anti-Doping Rule Violations) would have resulted.Comeback: Mykhailo MudrykAFP via Getty Images“Mr Mudryk is no longer ineligible and may return to competition with immediate effect.”Chelsea added in a statement: “This has been an extremely difficult period for Misha, both professionally and personally, and we are pleased that the matter has now reached a conclusion which allows him to return to football with immediate effect.Mudryk has been training alone with hired goalkeepers and private coaches while suspendedInstagram/mmudryk10“We know how much this opportunity to return means to him. Our focus now is on supporting Misha’s reintegration into the squad and helping him resume his career. Chelsea FC remains fully committed to the highest standards of sporting integrity and compliance with all anti-doping regulations.”Mudryk is now set to be reintegrated into Xabi Alonso’s squad, which is currently on a pre-season tour of Australia and south-east Asia. It remains to be seen how his future will be handled after spending nearly two years away from elite football.Mudryk celebrates Chelsea’s Conference League win with Enzo Fernandez in WroclawInstagram/@enzojfernandezWriting on his Instagram page after the ban was lifted, Mudryk said: “After a long battle, the four-year ban that was imposed on me has been rescinded and I am free to resume my career with immediate effect. I am grateful that this process has reached a conclusion, that I have been cleared to return to football and that I can now look ahead to my future.“This has been the most difficult period of my career. As I have always maintained from the outset of this case, I have never knowingly or intentionally taken any banned substance. My commitment to competing fairly and representing my club and country with professionalism and integrity has always been important to me.Read More“My focus now is on returning to football, working hard every day, and making a positive contribution on the pitch.”He then thanked his family, friends and legal team for supporting him throughout the process.While suspended, he missed out on contributing to Chelsea’s triumphant Conference League and Club World Cup campaigns, though he was present in Wroclaw when the Blues beat Real Betis to clinch the title in UEFA’s third-tier competition.