Mykhailo Mudryk of is facing a ban of up to four years after he failed a drugs test during a routine urine examination.
The Chelsea winger, 23, has endured his fair share of issues since joining the London club from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 in a big-money deal which could eventually reach £89million. He has not featured since scoring in the Europa Conference League match against Heidenheim. Now his Stamford Bridge career has taken a turn for the worse as reports in his native Ukraine first broke the news of a failed test and it has been claimed that a second sample has since been requested. Mudryk could potentially be banned for up to four years for doping, if his B sample also returns a positive reading. Mudryk categorically denies knowingly taking ant banned substances.
Chelsea have released a statement which reads: "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."
Mudryk has also commented on the situation, posting on social media: "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."
The Mail claim that Mudryk has been provisionally suspended by The Football Association after returning a positive test, though the FA have refused to comment.