Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended after a doping test revealed an adverse finding, the Premier League club confirmed on Tuesday. The notification of the test result came from the Football Association (FA), which reported that the Ukraine international had tested positive for a banned substance following a routine urine sample.
In a statement, Chelsea acknowledged the issue, expressing full support for the FA’s anti-doping procedures. “Both the club and Mykhailo fully support the FA’s testing programme, and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested,” the club said. They further confirmed that Mudryk had “categorically” denied knowingly using any banned substances and stressed that the player would be working with the relevant authorities to understand the cause of the adverse result.
Mudryk himself addressed the matter via social media, expressing his shock and confusion over the situation. “I can confirm that I have been notified that a sample I provided to the FA contained a banned substance,” he posted on Instagram. “This has come as a complete shock as I have never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules, and I am working closely with my team to investigate how this could have happened.”
The 23-year-old winger, who has made 15 appearances for Chelsea this season, reiterated his innocence and expressed his determination to clear his name. “I know that I have not done anything wrong and remain hopeful that I will be back on the pitch soon,” Mudryk wrote, although he refrained from commenting further due to the confidentiality of the ongoing investigation.
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Under UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) regulations, athletes found guilty of intentionally taking a banned substance face a potential four-year ban. However, if the violation involves a specified substance or contamination, and if the athlete can prove a lack of significant fault, the punishment may range from a reduced ineligibility period to a reprimand.
Mudryk, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 for a reported £88.5 million ($112 million), has been an important player for the Blues, scoring three goals this season, including one in a 2-0 victory over German side Heidenheim in the UEFA Conference League on November 28.
The situation surrounding Mudryk’s failed test raises questions about the causes of the adverse result, and the player, along with Chelsea, will likely continue to cooperate with authorities as the investigation unfolds. As of now, it remains unclear what substance led to the positive test or whether it will result in a lengthy suspension or a lesser penalty.
The incident also serves as a reminder of the strict anti-doping regulations in place within professional football, underscoring the importance of athletes being vigilant about what they consume and ensuring that no banned substances enter their systems, intentionally or unintentionally.
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