SoccerPreview
Carrick: Man Utd games vs Liverpool some of my favourites
Carrick highlights the significance of Man Utd vs Liverpool rivalry
Sky Sports1 min read
Sports
Where are we at with Mudryk's doping case?
TL;DR
Mykhailo Mudryk was banned by the FA in January, with only a select few informed due to the confidentiality of the anti-doping process. The UK Anti-Doping agency collaborates with the FA on these matters.
Key points
- Mykhailo Mudryk was banned by the FA in January.
- Only a small group was informed about the ban.
- The FA's anti-doping program is confidential.
- UK Anti-Doping collaborates with the FA.
Mentioned in this story
Mykhailo MudrykFAUK Anti-Doping
Chelsea
[Getty Images]
BBC Sport has been told Mykhailo Mudryk was banned by the FA in January but that only a close-knit group of people around him and a small number of people at Chelsea were informed.
That is because the FA's anti-doping programme is deemed strictly confidential - all parts of the process, from testing to discussions with lawyers, are carried out behind closed doors in order to respect the privacy of footballers.
UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) works in collaboration with the FA on the programme.
The exact prohibited substance for which Mudryk tested positive has never been named by the FA, but BBC Sport understands it is the cardiovascular medication meldonium, which has the potential to increase respiratory capacity and stamina, which he came into contact with while on duty with the Ukraine national team.
It remains unclear how exactly Mudryk apparently ingested meldonium, which has been banned by Wada since 2016 and is primarily used in Eastern European countries to treat conditions such as angina, heart failure and coronary artery disease.
Mudryk has been suspended and unable to play for either Chelsea or Ukraine since the FA provisionally suspended him 16 months ago.
He remains contracted to the Blues until 2031, having signed a long deal when he joined for £61m in 2022, as part of the club's plan to amortise the cost of transfers and contracts.
If Mudryk's ban is upheld by Cas, he would be unable to play again until roughly December 2028, as that is four years since his provisional suspension began.
But if the ban were to be reduced by Cas, he could be back on the pitch in a much shorter timeframe. Sources close to the player believe he could be back in action as early as next season.
Chelsea would be able to terminate Mudryk's contract once the Cas process has concluded, given an anti-doping ban constitutes a breach of employment terms in most footballers' contracts.
Mudryk last played for Chelsea on 28 November 2024 and was an unused substitute for a league match three days later against Aston Villa.
Q&A
What led to Mykhailo Mudryk's doping ban?
Mykhailo Mudryk was banned by the FA, but specific details about the reasons for the ban have not been publicly disclosed due to confidentiality.
Who was informed about Mudryk's doping case?
Only a close-knit group around Mykhailo Mudryk and a small number of people at Chelsea were informed about the doping ban.
How does the FA's anti-doping program maintain confidentiality?
The FA's anti-doping program is strictly confidential, with all processes, including testing and legal discussions, conducted behind closed doors to protect players' privacy.
