Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk has made a rare and emotional public appeal, asking supporters not to abandon hope for him as he endures a agonising wait for the outcome of his doping case.
A Year in the Wilderness
The Ukrainian international has now been absent from the pitch for more than 400 days, having last played for the Blues in a Europa Conference League match against Heidenheim on 28 November 2024. His provisional suspension began the following month after a positive test for a banned substance.
Mudryk, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal that could reach £89 million, was officially charged by the Football Association in June 2025. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating the positive test came as a "complete shock". If found guilty, the 24-year-old winger could be hit with a ban of up to four years.
The Wait for a Verdict
The protracted case remains in the hands of the English Football Association. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president Witold Banka confirmed in November that his organisation was awaiting the FA's disciplinary decision before reviewing the documentation and deciding whether to appeal.
"We can appeal in two cases: if we consider the decision too harsh or too lenient," Banka stated, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the timeline and final outcome for the player.
Mudryk's Emotional New Year Message
After maintaining a low profile for much of his suspension, Mudryk broke his silence with a New Year's message directed at his fans. The post carried a tone of both gratitude and desperation.
"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."
The plea and hint at a potential return "soon" will resonate with Chelsea fans who have seen the club win both the Club World Cup and the Conference League during the attacker's enforced absence. Mudryk has made 73 appearances for Chelsea since his high-profile arrival, with 53 of those coming in the Premier League.
