Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk is officially available to return to professional football after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) partially upheld his appeal against his ban for doping.

Mudryk, who signed for Chelsea in 2023 for an initial fee of £62m, has not played a competitive match since November 2024, following a provisional suspension by the FA. Subsequent tests delivered an “adverse finding” for the banned substance meldonium.

The Ukraine international was hit with a significant ban of four years by the FA, but lodged an appeal to CAS against the punishment. The longstanding governing body agreed to allow the 25-year-old to return to professional football “with immediate effect.” Mudryk conceded that he had broken anti-doping rules, agreeing to a suspension that equalled the time he had already served.

Mudryk has shared his gratitude at returning to football, stating that the ban led to the “most difficult period” of his career.

The former Shakhtar Donetsk star added: “As I have always maintained from the outset of this case, I have never knowingly or intentionally taken any banned substance.”

Chelsea has already commented on the positive verdict regarding the Ukrainian winger, stating that the club looks forward to returning Mudryk to “full fitness, [and reintegrating him] back into the squad and back on to the pitch.” The 25-year-old is expected to join their pre-season tour.

FA Update on Mykhailo Mudryk

Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

The English FA shared the following statement on their website in relation to Mudryk’s four-year ban being lifted:

“The FA can confirm that the anti-doping disciplinary proceedings against Mykhailo Mudryk were resolved with the agreement of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on 30 July 2026. In the context of that agreement, Mr Mudryk has accepted his commission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) and accepted a period of ineligibility.

“On 22 October 2024, Mr Mudryk was subject to an out-of-competition doping control, which revealed the presence of a low concentration of meldonium, a prohibited substance. The FA notified Mr Mudryk of that finding on 4 December 2024 and imposed a provisional suspension. On 23 May 2025, the FA charged Mr Mudryk with ADRVs in breach of Regulations 3 and 4 of its 2024 Anti-Doping Regulations.

“On 7 to 9 January 2026, a hearing took place before an independent Regulatory Commission. The Regulatory Commission found that Mr Mudryk had committed the charged ADRVs and imposed a four-year period of ineligibility. Subsequently, Mr Mudryk filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“Since then, changes have been made to WADA Technical Document (TD2027MRL) which, while not retroactive, mean that if Mr Mudryk’s sample was collected today, the concentration of meldonium in the sample would not have been reported and no ADRVs would have resulted.

“Further to that development and to other circumstances of the case, The FA and Mr Mudryk have now – with the agreement of WADA – resolved the appeal proceedings in accordance with Article 10.8.2 of the World Anti-Doping Code and Regulation 90 of the 2024 Anti-Doping Regulations. As a part of the agreement, Mr Mudryk accepted that he had committed the ADRVs charged and acceded to a period of ineligibility equal to the time served at the date of the agreement.

“Mr Mudryk is no longer ineligible and may return to competition with immediate effect.”

Clad in the unmistakeable green and white hoops, Celtic have carved out their own little corner in the annals of football history.

The Scottish giants were the first British team to lift the European Cup and their longstanding rivalry with fellow Glasgow-based side Rangers is the stuff of footballing legend.

But whether it is a declaration of love for the Celts, or a war cry against their enemies in blue, there seems to be a song for every occasion. These are the songs and chants that remain deeply lodged in the collective memory of the Celtic supporters.

The Fields of Athenry

Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Penned in 1979 by Irish folk writer Pete St. John, its connection to Celtic stems from the 1991 testimonial match for legendary ‘keeper Pat Bonner. St. John sang the song live in tribute, echoed by thousands of Celtic fans. The song has been a favourite of the supporters ever since.

You’ll Never Walk Alone

REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Liverpool fans will be more than familiar with this iconic anthem. Written by peerless duo Rodgers and Hammerstein for the 1945 musical Carousel, the track found new fame through Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1963. After becoming the soundtrack to many Anfield games, Celtic fans adopted the song in the 1960s. Like Liverpool, Celtic supporters tend to belt the tune out on European nights to gee up their boys in green and white.

Just Can’t Get Enough

Action Images via Reuters / Craig Brough

Set to the Depeche Mode synth-pop classic, this chant has been a Celtic staple since 2010. Easily memorable and fun to sing along to, this song is one that brings the energy to Parkhead. It’s hard not to get swept up in the euphoria.

The Celtic Song (Hail Hail/Grand Old Team)

Reuters / Russell Cheyne

Hoops fans will know this track well, as it rings around Parkhead as the players run onto the pitch. The song itself is an interesting blend of past melodies. Mix a century-old American military marching song and Glen Daly’s “The Celtic Song”, and supporters have a recipe for a rousing stadium chant.

Celtic Symphony (Graffiti on the Wall)

REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

This Brian Warfield concoction was commissioned to celebrate Celtic’s centenary season in 1988. The lyrics weave an intriguing allegory, pitting a Glasgow sailor against the devil on a grand, global voyage. But as predicted, the antidote to the temptations of the world: the terraces of Celtic Park.

The 67 Song

Action Images / Craig Brough

Short, sharp, a moment frozen in time and memory. Celtic’s finest hour: May 25, 1967. Celtic overcame Inter Milan in balmy Lisbon to become Britain’s first ever European Cup winners. Dubbed the “Lisbon Lions”, incredibly, the entire starting 11 was born within 30 miles of Glasgow.

The Broony

Action Images / Lee Smith

Born during a heated 2011 Scottish Cup match against Rangers, the song is a dedication to cult figure and former captain, Scott Brown. The captain’s iconic celebration in the face of villainous Rangers forward El Hadji Diouf remains an immortal chapter in Old Firm folklore. “The Broony” isn’t just a Celtic chant; it’s a defiant taunt to their Glasgow rivals.

Over and Over

REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

It’s an anthem that Celtic supporters have sung all over Europe. Set to a folk melody, it symbolises the undying support of the Scottish side’s fans. Wherever Celtic play on those European nights, expect “Over and Over” to echo around the stands.

With Formula 1 entering its summer break, attention is beginning to drift away from the championship battle and towards the driver market.

Though England’s own Lewis Hamilton currently sits second in the Drivers’ Championship as he bids to claim an unprecedented eighth world title, speculation continues to swirl around several other high-profile stars.

With the paddock now enjoying a well-earned three-week summer break before racing resumes at the Dutch Grand Prix on the 21st of August, the Formula 1 rumour mill has shown little sign of slowing down.

One former Formula 1 team principal believes one established driver is exploring his options. Not because of contract uncertainty, division between management, or just in search of a new challenge, but because of who is sitting on the other side of the garage.

Ex-Haas Team Principal Makes Huge Claim

According to Guenther Steiner, current F1 commentator and former Team Principal of Haas Formula One, the driver in question is George Russell.

Mercedes only announced Russell’s extension through 2026 last year, leaving the door open for continued speculation over his long-term future, particularly amid the ongoing rumours linking Max Verstappen with a move to Brackley to join the team.

While Russell has insisted he already has an agreement in place for 2027, his fortunes have taken a dramatic turn this season.

After opening the campaign in dramatic fashion, winning the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne by just 2.974 seconds over teammate Kimi Antonelli, a string of poor form, reliability concerns, Mercedes’ lack of outright pace, and a string of unfortunate results have seen the Englishman’s championship challenge unravel.

Heading into the break, Antonelli holds a commanding 50-point advantage over Hamilton, who himself sits nine points ahead of his English counterpart.

Speaking on The Red Flag Podcast, Steiner believes this dynamic between the two Mercedes drivers could force Russell to consider a fresh challenge elsewhere.

“I think there’s a lot of interest from drivers to go to Audi for ‘28. I think for next year they are pretty set, but I think there is maybe a possibility in ‘28 at Audi. And that’s quite an interesting place because they’re making good progress. I mean, it seems to be on track, what they are doing.

Audi Looking Strong in Future

Steiner’s comments come as Audi continue to establish themselves as Formula 1’s most ambitious long-term project.

Sainz has already been linked with the German manufacturer as he considers his own future beyond 2027, while Nico Hulkenberg‘s seat is far from guaranteed next season.

Should Audi’s trajectory continue, Steiner believes they could become an increasingly attractive destination, not least for a Mercedes driver searching for a fresh start away from one of Formula 1’s brightest talents.