Football Association bans Mykhailo Mudryk for four years over doping
The Football Association has handed Mykhailo Mudryk a four-year ban from football following a positive test for a banned substance in 2024.
The Ukrainian international’s suspension represents the fourth-longest punishment ever issued in the history of the English game.
Doping offences carry severe penalties under strict liability rules, meaning players are ultimately responsible for any prohibited substances found in their system.
Lengthy suspensions in English football
Long-term exclusions from the sport remain relatively rare, historically reserved for serious breaches including gambling regulations, violence, or anti-doping violations.
Former Brentford striker Ivan Toney recently served an eight-month suspension after admitting to 232 breaches of betting rules during the 2023-24 season.
In another high-profile case, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand missed the 2004 European Championship due to an eight-month ban.
The ex-England centre-back was severely punished for failing to attend a scheduled drug test with UK Sport doping officials in September 2003.
Historical doping and disciplinary cases
Australian goalkeeper Mark Bosnich saw his Chelsea career effectively ended by a nine-month suspension in April 2003.
The former Aston Villa shot-stopper retired shortly after testing positive for cocaine, though he consistently denied knowingly taking the substance during his playing days.
I was not taking cocaine at the time of my test, but I got talking to a girl who later admitted she slipped the drug into her drink, and I must have had a sip. Yes, I took drugs but only once my career was over, and I have no regrets as I owe football absolutely nothing.
Mark Bosnich
Other notable historical bans include Charlie Mitten’s six-month fine and suspension in 1950 after signing an unauthorised contract in Colombia while registered with Manchester United.
Lower-league midfielder Joss Labadie also received a six-month exclusion in 2014 following multiple biting incidents during his time with Torquay United and Dagenham & Redbridge.
