'My focus now is on returning to football' - Mudryk free to play again

[Getty Images] Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has taken to Instagram to post a message after it was confirmed he is available to return to playing immediately following the resolution of his doping case with the Football Association. The 25-year-old Ukraine international has not played a competitive match since November 2024, having been provisionally suspended after returning an "adverse finding" for banned substance meldonium. His statement read: "After a long battle, the four-year ban that was imposed on me has been rescinded and I am free to resume my career with immediate effect. "I am grateful that this process has reached a conclusion, that I have been cleared to return to football and that I can now look ahead to my future. "This has been the most difficult period of my career. "As I have always maintained from the outset of this case, I have never knowingly or intentionally taken any banned substance. My commitment to competing fairly and representing my club and country with professionalism and integrity has always been important to me. "I would like to thank my family and friends for their support and belief throughout this period. "I also want to express my deep gratitude to everyone at Chelsea FC, my teammates and the Chelsea supporters who have been with me throughout. "I would also like to thank my legal team and others who assisted for their tireless work on my case. "My focus now is on returning to football, working hard every day, and making a positive contribution on the pitch. "Thank you to everyone who continued to believe in me. I look forward to the next chapter of my career." [BBC]