Mykhailo Mudryk handed biggest ban in Premier League history over doping scandal

The FA has handed Mykhailo Mudryk the biggest ban in the history of the Premier League following his positive doping test in 2024.

Mudryk was provisionally suspended by the Football Association back in December 2024 after he tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.

A urine sample gathered ahead of Mudryk departing for international duty with Ukraine tested positive for the substance which increases oxygen uptake, improves fatty acid metabolism, and accelerates recovery times under intense exercise.

Six months later, the FA subsequently officially charged Mudryk after analysing his B Sample.

Since the initially, the 25-year-old has remained completely out of the public eye, as both he and Chelsea fans awaited the decision regarding his punishment for the failed tests.

But now, he has learned that he has been handed a four-year ban by the FA, the longest in Premier League history, according to The Athletic.

Ahead of the ban, the record was held by controversial player Joey Barton after he was sanctioned and banned for 13 months due to several betting offences following his move to Burnley in early 2017.

As reported by the BBC Sport, Mudryk, who has always denied any wrongdoing, has since lodged an appeal over the ban, which has been referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"Cas confirms it has received an appeal by Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA, filed on 25 February 2026," the court told the BBC.

"The parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled."

Morgan Sports Law is representing Mudryk in the case, the same with former Manchester United star Paul Pogba during his recent doping case.

The firm has also represented Tyson Fury and cyclist Chris Froome.

Pogba, who was playing for Juventus at the time, was also handed a four-year suspension after providing a sample containing DHEA, a compound that promotes the production of hormones in the body including testosterone.

Following his appeal, CAS reduced his ban down to 18 months.

Mudryk's suspension prevents him from training with Chelsea, who he joined in January 2023 for an initial €70m (£61m), with his last appearance being in November 2024 during a Conference League match against Heidenheim.

The forward signed an eight-and-a-half-year contract when he joined Chelsea, set to expire in 2031, and so could in theory play for the Blues again when his ban ends.

He is currently training at non-league side Uxbridge FC to maintain fitness.

SPORTbible have reached out to Mykhailo Mudryk's representatives and the FA for comment.