Mykhailo Mudryk returned an adverse finding from a urine sample and has been suspended by the London club
HEIDENHEIM, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 28: Mykhaylo Mudryk of Chelsea FC reacts during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 and Chelsea FC at Voith-Arena on November 28, 2024 in Heidenheim, Germany. (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk(Image: Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images))
Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended ahead of this weekend's game at Everton after returning a positive doping test. On Tuesday, Chelsea confirmed the Football Association had contacted the Ukrainian international following an adverse sample from a urine test.
A statement from the Premier League club read:"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."
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Mudryk, an £89m signing from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, posted his own statement on social media on Tuesday morning. He said: "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 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."
Mudryk last played for Chelsea on November 28 in their 2-0 Europa Conference League win at Heidenheim, scoring the second goal.
Since then Enzo Maresca's side have won four straight Premier League matches to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to two points.
More to follow...