PORTO, PORTUGAL - JANUARY 14: Georgiy Sudakov of SL Benfica looks on during Taça de Portugal Quarterfinals match between FC Porto and SL Benfica at Estadio do Dragao on January 14, 2026 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
BREAKING NEWS: Benfica Star Heorhiy Sudakov Handed Shock 3-Year Global Sports Ban
LISBON – In a move that has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, SL Benfica’s star attacking midfielder Heorhiy Sudakov has been handed a devastating three-year ban from all professional sports.
The suspension comes after the Ukrainian international tested positive for a prohibited performance-enhancing substance during a routine anti-doping control following a recent Liga Portugal fixture.
While the club has yet to release a full formal statement, leaked reports suggest that the substance found in Sudakov’s sample is classified under the “S1” category of the WADA Prohibited List. The three-year duration of the ban reflects the severity of the violation, effectively ruling the 23-year-old out of action until 2029.
This news is a hammer blow to the Encarnados. Sudakov, who wears the iconic number 10 jersey, has been the creative heartbeat of the team this season, boasting a market value of €32M. His sudden removal from the squad leaves a massive void in the midfield just as the club enters the final, critical stretch of the title race.
Sudakov’s legal team is expected to file an immediate appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), citing “accidental ingestion” through a contaminated supplement. However, until a verdict is reached, the player remains suspended from all club and international duties, including Ukraine’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Benfica fans have already taken to social media in disbelief, with many calling this the “darkest day” of their season.
