'The 173 billion won supernova that had vanished' makes a sudden return, recovering eligibility after drug allegations and a 20-month suspension: 'How unjust it felt...'

*This content was translated by AI.

A top-tier prospect who was suspended for playing while under suspicion of using banned substances is making a sudden return. Mykhailo Mudryk (25) has been included in Chelsea's pre-season tour roster.

British outlet 'BBC' reported on the 1st (Korean time) that "Mudryk has completed the final stages of an investigation with the English Football Association (FA) regarding a doping case and has immediately regained eligibility to compete."

Mudryk, who had not appeared in any official matches since the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) game against Heidenheim in November 2024, is set to end an approximately 20-month absence and return to the pitch. His last inclusion on a substitute list for an English Premier League (EPL) match was on December 1, 2024, against Aston Villa.

Mudryk's doping issue arose in October 2024. During a period when he was called up to the Ukrainian national team, a doping test conducted outside of official matches detected meldonium, a banned substance that enhances breathing capacity and endurance. Consequently, the FA formally charged Mudryk in June 2025 and issued a severe four-year suspension in January this year.

However, Mudryk's side has consistently denied any intentional violation. To clear his name, Mudryk voluntarily underwent a legally binding lie detector test in April, which he passed, asserting his innocence. Furthermore, Mudryk appealed the FA's severe sanction to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), initiating legal proceedings.

The case reached a turning point after recent revisions to WADA's technical documentation regarding meldonium. In a statement, the FA explained that "the meldonium detected in Mudryk's sample at the time was present at an extremely low concentration" and added, "Under the current revised WADA standards, if a doping test had been conducted then, this level would not have even been reported as a positive result."

The FA further announced that "although the revised standards are not retroactive, through consultations with WADA, an agreement was reached to acknowledge that Mudryk violated anti-doping regulations but to replace the already-served suspension period as the final sanction." As a result, the disciplinary action imposed on Mudryk was immediately nullified.

Had the suspension remained in effect, Mudryk would have been ineligible to play until December 2028. Immediately following the ruling, he stated, "I am deeply grateful to be able to return to football after what has been the most difficult period of my career," and added, "As I have consistently maintained from the start of this incident, I never intentionally took any banned substances."

During the suspension period, Mudryk continued training for his return even while barred from entering Chelsea's Cobham training ground. He personally hired a private trainer and a specialized goalkeeper, conducting individual sessions at the grounds of Islington FC, an amateur club in London. He also established a training camp in Austria to maintain match sharpness through shooting practice and other drills.

Chelsea itself issued an official statement saying, "We are very pleased that this matter has been resolved successfully, allowing Mudryk to return immediately," and promptly included him on the pre-season tour roster.

Thus, Mudryk, a top-tier prodigy who set a transfer fee record of 89 million pounds (approximately 173 billion won) in 2023, now has an excellent opportunity to play his comeback match after about two years.

However, Mudryk still faces the challenge of competing for a starting position. While Mudryk, who is under contract with Chelsea until 2031, was absent, the club signed numerous wide attacking resources, including Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens, and Estevao.

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*This content was translated by AI.