Carlo Garganese
Mykhailo Mudryk, Chelsea, 2023/24
© IMAGO
Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended from football after failing a doping test.
Mudryk tested positive in a drugs test administered at the end of October 2024, with a banned substance found in the A sample.
The results of the B sample will be revealed in the coming days.
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A statement from Chelsea on Tuesday read: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm the Football Association recently contacted our player Mykhailo Mudryk concerning an adverse finding in a routine urine test.
"Both the Club and Mykhailo fully support The FA’s testing programme and all our players, including Mykhailo, are regularly tested. Mykhailo has confirmed categorically that he has never knowingly used any banned substances. Both Mykhailo and the Club will now work with the relevant authorities to establish what has caused the adverse finding.
"The Club will not be commenting any further."
The Daily Mail reports that Mudryk has been provisionally suspended from football after being notified of the failed test by the Football Association.
Mudryk himself has denied knowingly taking any banned substance.
“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 I 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."
Chelsea are said to have launched an investigation, with the Mail reporting that part of the probe centers around the possibility that Mudryk took a contaminated supplement.
It is suspected that the alleged offence may have taken place outside of England as the substance involved is not available in the UK.
If the results of the B sample confirm the positive outcome of the A sample, then Mudryk could face a ban of up to four years.
Mudryk last played for Chelsea on November 28 in a UEFA Conference League match against Heidenheim, with the Ukrainian scoring in a 2-0 win in Germany.
The last time he was named in a Chelsea match squad was on December 1 for the Premier League match against Aston Villa which the Blues won 3-0.
Since then, Mudryk has officially been missing from Chelsea squads due to "illness".
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Mudryk has struggled at Chelsea
© IMAGO - Mudryk has struggled at Chelsea
Mudryk at Chelsea
Mudryk joined Chelsea for €100 million in January 2023 from Shakhtar Donetsk after the Blues hijacked Arsenal's deal for the winger.
Since joining Chelsea, Mudryk has managed just 10 goals and nine assists in 73 appearances amidst a string of poor performances.
Despite boasting blistering pace and dribbling qualities, his technique and decision-making has regularly let him down.
He has fallen well down the pecking order under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Mudryk was linked with a summer transfer away from Chelsea, and his future was also very much in question ahead of the January window.
The winger has started just one Premier League game this season, contributing no goals or assists from seven appearances in total.
He has been more enterprising in Europe, managing three goals and an assist in the Conference League group stage.
Mudryk has been capped 28 times by the Ukraine national team, scoring three goals.