Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk’s exile amid his doping case is reportedly costing his old employers £26million.
Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk negotiated that amount in performance-related bonuses as part of the £88m deal to sell him in June 2023.
But they are unable to gain any of that while the winger remains sidelined due to suspension.
The 25-year-old has not featured since a Europa Conference League match on November 28, 2024 – and it is unclear when he will play again.
Mudryk was provisionally suspended in December 2024 following a positive test for a banned substance, with the Ukrainian officially charged in June 2025.
Shakhtar’s general director Sergei Palkin told journalist Ben Jacobs: ‘We have €30m (£26m) million of bonuses in his contract. If he’s not playing, or Chelsea aren’t reaching results, we are losing €30m. That’s a big financial impact for us.
‘I know Mudryk as a player and a person. I believe he will return and start playing again.
Mkyhailo Mudryk’s alleged doping suspension is reportedly costing Shakhtar Donetsk £26m
The Ukrainian club put £26m worth of performance-related bonuses in the £88m deal to sell him to Chelsea in 2023 – but he isn’t playing
‘Everybody is waiting for the court’s decision, and we don’t have any information about when this will take place and when the final decision will be issued.’
It is understood that Mudryk’s contract, which expires in 2031, includes payout clauses for winning the Champions League and Premier League as well as individual performance-related bonuses.
He could face up to a four-year ban should the doping charge be proven. There is currently no clarity on when Mudryk’s case will be concluded.
Reports in Ukraine that the substance is meldonium are understood by Daily Mail Sport to be correct.
He has maintained a low profile since denying any wrongdoing in an official statement while also sporadically posting updates on social media.
At the start of the year, he urged fans not to give up on him.
‘Happy New year to all my fans,’ Mudryk wrote.
‘I just wanted to say thank you for your support.
‘I see all your messages and truly appreciate them, so please don’t give up on me as I not give up on myself.
‘Can’t wait to see you soon.’
An update was provided by World Anti-Doping Agency president Witold Banka back in November.
‘First of all, we are waiting for a disciplinary decision in his case (from the Football Association of England). As of today, we do not know when it will come,’ Banka said.
‘Then, according to the anti-doping code, we will request the player’s documentation and will decide whether we agree with this disciplinary decision.
‘We can appeal in two cases: if we consider the decision too harsh or too lenient.’
In a message to his followers on Instagram after his provisional ban, Mudryk posted: ‘I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to The FA contained a banned substance.
‘This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened.
‘I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon. I cannot say any more now due to the confidentiality of the process, but I will as soon as I can.’
