Mykhailo Mudryk
Mykhailo Mudryk has made just one Premier League start this season
Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has confirmed that he has been provisionally suspended by the Football Association because of an adverse finding in a routine drugs test.
And according to reports the sample, which was given in November, contained traces of meldonium - the substance that first became prominent when tennis star Maria Sharapova was banned in 2016.
Mudryk denies any wrongdoing and his representatives have declined to comment on what substance was found in the urine test. The £89m signing, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in January 2023, said he has “never knowingly used any banned substances.”
Chelsea said they are providing him with the necessary support while an investigation continues. He has missed the past five matches with head coach Enzo Maresca initially saying his absence was because of illness. The player is waiting for the B sample of his test to be returned and the FA have not commented.
[
Mykhailo Mudryk issues statement on positive doping test as Chelsea star in 'complete shock'](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-mykhailo-mudryk-statement-chelsea-34327945)
What is meldonium?
Meldonium is not available in the UK but is popular in the Baltic region and Russia.
It was first manufactured in Latvia in 1970 and is used to treat a lack of blood flow to parts of the body, such as in cases of angina or heart failure. It is also prescribed to people with diabetes.
Why is it performance enhancing?
The effects of the drug on athletes is much disputed by medical professionals but it was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list on January 1 2016, three months before Sharapova’s two-year ban was announced.
By promoting blood flow it helps the body increase its ability to carry oxygen and therefore is seen to boost endurance.
Sharapova had claimed she was taking the drug for 10 years because of a health condition and later had her suspension reduced to 15 months.
Mudryk has only made one Premier League start this season.
What has Mudryk 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," he wrote on Instagram .
"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."
If he is found guilty, what is the punishment?
The maximum ban is four years.
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