In December 2024, Chelsea’s Ukrainian winger, Mykhailo Mudryk, faced a provisional suspension following a positive test for meldonium, a banned substance. Mudryk expressed shock, denying any intentional rule violation, and has since maintained a low public profile.
As of March 2025, the Football Association (FA) has not issued formal charges against Mudryk, and his B-sample results remain pending. This uncertainty has led Chelsea to consider signing a new forward should Mudryk face a lengthy ban.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine has acknowledged the situation but stated it lacks authority to intervene, emphasizing that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of relevant sports bodies. Football finance experts highlight potential financial implications for Chelsea, referencing past cases like Adrian Mutu’s, where the club sought compensation following a player’s doping violation.
Mudryk’s case underscores the complexities of anti-doping enforcement in football, with meldonium—a drug added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list in 2016—being at the center of this controversy. The football community awaits the outcome of Mudryk’s B-sample analysis, which will determine his professional future and potential repercussions for Chelsea.
