Chelsea's Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk has made a direct and emotional appeal to the club's supporters, urging them not to lose faith in him as he remains suspended pending the outcome of a doping case.
A New Year Plea to Chelsea Faithful
In a social media post marking the New Year, the 24-year-old star addressed his fans directly. "Happy New year to all my fans," Mudryk wrote. "I just wanted to say thank you for your support. I see all your messages and truly appreciate them, so please don't give up on me as I not give up on myself. Can't wait to see you soon."
This public message is one of the few he has issued since being provisionally suspended by the Football Association in December 2024. The suspension came after a sample he provided tested positive for a banned substance, identified by reports as meldonium.
The Timeline of the Suspension and Charge
Mudryk's last appearance for Chelsea was in a Europa Conference League match on 28 November 2024. His world was upended the following month when the provisional suspension was announced. The situation escalated in June 2025 when the FA officially charged the player.
The Ukrainian international, who joined Chelsea in a high-profile £88 million transfer in January 2023, has consistently denied any intentional wrongdoing. Shortly after his initial suspension, he released a statement expressing his shock, saying: "I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance. This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules."
Potential Consequences and Ongoing Process
The stakes for Mudryk are exceptionally high. If the doping charge is proven, he could face a ban from football of up to four years, which would be a devastating blow to his career at its peak.
There remains significant uncertainty over when a final decision will be reached. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president Witold Banka provided an update in November, explaining the process. "First of all, we are waiting for a disciplinary decision in his case (from the Football Association of England). As of today, we do not know when it will come," Banka stated.
He further clarified that once the FA makes its ruling, WADA will review the documentation and retain the right to appeal if it deems the decision either too lenient or too harsh. This indicates that the process could be protracted, extending Mudryk's period in limbo.
Despite his suspension, Mudryk has remained connected to the club, having been part of Chelsea's travelling party for a Europa Conference League match, keeping him within the squad's environment.
Chelsea fans and the football world now await the FA's disciplinary decision, which will determine the future of one of the game's most expensive talents.
