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Mudryk Cleared to Play as FA and WADA Resolve Doping Case

A change to WADA’s meldonium reporting threshold was central to an agreement that ends his ineligibility and lets Chelsea begin his return to the squad.

Overview

  • The Football Association said on 30 July 2026 that its appeal with the World Anti‑Doping Agency was resolved and Mykhailo Mudryk is no longer ineligible to play.
  • As part of the settlement Mudryk accepted that Anti‑Doping Rule Violations occurred and agreed to an ineligibility period equal to the time he has already served.
  • WADA raised the laboratory reporting threshold for meldonium in its TD2027MRL so the low concentration found in Mudryk’s 22 October 2024 sample would not be reported as a positive under today’s rules.
  • Chelsea confirmed the club will help reintegrate Mudryk and he is expected to join the pre‑season tour in Hong Kong, though staff say he will undergo a gradual conditioning programme because he has not played competitively since November 2024.
  • The origin of the meldonium traces has not been identified, Mudryk continues to deny knowingly taking a banned substance, and the case highlights how evolving scientific standards can change sanctions and influence future anti‑doping outcomes.