According to reports, Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk has received a ban within the gaming world. This news comes while the footballer is already serving a ban from his sport.
The Ukrainian international has not played in the Premier League for the Blues since a 1-1 draw at home against Arsenal in October 2024. He had mustered 10 goals and 11 assists in 73 appearances for Chelsea, struggling to live up to the expectations of his £89m fee when he signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023.
Things took a greater turn for the worse in his sporting career in June 2024, when the FA charged him with violating anti-doping rules, for which could face a four-year ban. His subsequent ban means his last outing for the Blues, across all competitions, came in a Conference League victory over Heidenheim in November 2024.
Mudryk Banned From Counter-Strike 2
mudryk ukraine
Adding to his woes, this time away from the football pitch, Mudryk has now been hit with a noteworthy ban within the gaming world. As per Esports Insider, the 25-year-old has been given a four-week ban from the Counter-Strike 2 platform FACEIT following a string of offensive comments.
Counter-Strike is very popular among footballers, with Brazilian ace Neymar Jr said to have accumulated over 11,000 hours of play time over the last 18 months. Mudryk's countryman Oleksandr Zinchenko is also a well-known fan of the game.
While playing a match on the platform, Mudryk is reported to have made several offensive comments surrounding the Massacres of Poles in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia during World War 2. The killings were carried out in German-occupied Poland by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) between 1943 and 1945. The UPA's actions resulted in up to 100,000 Polish deaths. These killings were exceptionally brutal, and most of the victims were women and children.
Making things worse, according to FACEIT’s banning policy, a four-week ban is issued to accounts that have previously committed an offence. This suggests it's not the first time the Chelsea star has been punished for his poor behaviour on the gaming platform. The report notes that once a ban is lifted, the offending account has a three-month probation period to avoid further punishments. A third toxicity ban can result in a one-year suspension from the platform.
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Chelsea: Why a Cow May Be To Blame for Mykhailo Mudryk's Failed Drugs Test
The reason given for the the potential failed test is certainly unique.
Mudryk Was Mocked by Opponents Over Failed Drug Test
Mykhailo Mudryk in action for Chelsea
According to the report, Mudryk's comments supposedly came after he was mocked by opponents in relation to his failed drug test, which kept him from playing a single game in 2025 or 2026 so far. The winger retaliated with references to the Volyn Massacres and Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939 through in-game text chat.
It remains unclear when the 25-year-old will be able to return to the sport, but reports have suggested that Chelsea intend to give him a second chance at Stamford Bridge, and that he is not expected to serve the full length of his ban.
In early January, he posted a message to his fans, asking them not to 'give up' on him, as he was hoping to see them soon. In full, he wrote: "Happy new year to all my fans. 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 [have] not give up on myself. Can't wait to see you soon."
Both the player and FACEIT have yet to comment on the recent incident.