The British Broadcasting Corporation published an article on May 1st, revealing the entire process from the beginning to the end of Mudrick's secret ban from competition, as well as his future development.
Is Mudrick still a Chelsea player? When can he return?
Since being temporarily suspended from competition by the Football Association 16 months ago, Mudrick has been suspended from competition and has been unable to participate in competitions on behalf of Chelsea or the Ukrainian national team.
He joined the Blues in 2022 for a fee of up to 61 million pounds. At that time, he signed a long-term contract that will last until 2031. Of course, this is part of the club's transfer and contract cost plan.
If the Court of Arbitration for Sport upholds Mudrick's suspension, he will not be able to play again and this situation will last until around December 2028.
However, if the International Court of Arbitration for Sport shortens the suspension time, he may return to the game in a shorter period of time. People familiar with the situation around the player field hold the view that he can come back again as early as next season.
Once the Court of Arbitration for Sport makes a ruling, Chelsea will be able to terminate Mudrick's contract. This is because in the contracts signed by most football players, anti-doping suspensions constitute a breach of employment terms.
If they did this, the amortization costs corresponding to the remaining years of Mudrick's contract would disappear from the club's accounts, effectively writing off this expenditure and thus significantly improving their financial position.
However, from another perspective, if Chelsea maintains Mudrick's contract and continues to pay him wages, then they have the corresponding rights to sell him for a certain transfer fee.
Of course, they can continue to pay him the salary he deserves as a member of the team and let him join the team again after the suspension period is over.
What can’t Mudrick do while suspended? Where does he train?
Mudrick's last appearance for Chelsea was on November 28, 2024. Three days later, in the league game against Aston Villa, he did not get a chance to play as a substitute.
The last time he appeared in public was after Chelsea defeated Real Betis 4-1 to win the UEFA Champions League final. There was such a specific situation during the viewing of that game. At that time, he went to watch in a private capacity, that's what happened.
The 25-year-old met the fans while walking with friends in the Polish city of Wroclaw before attending a celebration party hosted by Chelsea at the team hotel.
Since that time, Mudrick has been staying in London, but he was unable to participate in games or train with his teammates.
Chelsea are paying close attention to his progress. However, due to the suspension clause, his time to enter the club, use of club facilities, and contact with teammates will all be greatly restricted.
This player from Ukraine is currently within the scope of multiple training venues, including Uxbridge FC. He is guided by a personal coach and carries out the training process. He also hired a goalkeeper to carry out some specific training projects.
He attended church regularly and those close to him insisted he was in good physical and mental health.
What’s next for CAS?
Mudrick filed an appeal on February 25.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), located in Lausanne, Switzerland, is regarded as the highest court in the international sports world. As a neutral and independent institution, it will rule on disputes.
The court will review the case again, usually through a panel of three arbitrators to review the evidence, and can uphold, overturn or modify the suspension decision made by the Football Association.
The panel can call witnesses to give evidence in person or via video link.
The arbitration proceeding will take place in private and the arbitrators will take their time to consider their award.
In 2024, Paul Pogba, the midfielder who once played for Manchester United and Juventus, was banned from playing for four years due to doping, but after he appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the suspension period was reduced to 18 months.
Pogba's attorney is called Morgan Sports Law Firm. This Morgan Sports Law Firm is also Mudrick's attorney.
Pogba appealed, a hearing was held four months later and a further two months passed before the verdict was announced.